Cisco UCS C480 M5 Installation And Service Manual

Cisco UCS C480 M5 Server Installation and Service Guide

First Published: 2017-10-12

Last Modified: 2018-06-08

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Overview

• Overview, on page 1

• External Features, on page 1

• Serviceable Component Locations, on page 4

• Summary of Server Features, on page 9

Overview

This chapter provides a summary overview of the Cisco UCS C480 M5 server.

External Features

This topic shows the external features of the server.

Cisco UCS C480 M5 Server Front Panel Features

CHAPTER 1

For definitions of LED states, see Front-Panel LEDs, on page 29.

Figure 1: Cisco UCS C480 M5 Server Front Panel

Cisco UCS C480 M5 Server Installation and Service Guide

1

External Features

Overview

8Power button/LED1

Left bay module (drive bays 1 - 8)

• Bays 1, 2, 7, 8 support SAS/SATA
and NVMe drives.

Front NVMe drives are not supported
in a single-CPU module system.

• Bays 3, 4, 5, 6 support SAS/SATA
drives only.

Note

An NVMe-only front drive
module is available that
supports up to 8 NVMe SSDs.
You cannot mix this
NVMe-only module with
SAS/SATA modules or change
module types in the field.

9Identification button/LED2

Center bay module (drive bays 9 - 16)

• Bays 9, 10, 15, 16 support SAS/SATA
or NVMe drives.

Front NVMe drives are not supported
in a single-CPU module system.

• Bays 11, 12, 13, 14 support
SAS/SATA drives only.

10System status LED3

Right bay module, supports either:

• Optional DVD drive module

• Drive bays 17 - 24 (shown)

• Bays 17, 18, 23, 24 support
SAS/SATA or NVMe drives.

Front NVMe drives are not
supported in a single-CPU
module system.

• Bays 19, 20, 21, 22 support
SAS/SATA drives only.

11Fan status LED4

KVM console connector (used with a KVM
cable that provides two USB, one VGA,
and one serial connector)

Pull-out asset tag12Temperature status LED5

Cisco UCS C480 M5 Server Installation and Service Guide

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Overview

External Features

Cisco UCS C480 M5 Server Rear Panel Features

For definitions of LED states, see Rear-Panel LEDs, on page 32.

Figure 2: Cisco UCS C480 M5 Server Rear Panel

13Power supply status LED6

CPU module bay 1

The system must have at least one CPU
module in bay 1 to boot.

It must also have either a CPU module or
a blank filler module in bay 2.

14Network link activity LED7

CPU module bay 2

If no CPU module is present in bay 2, there
must be a blank filler module in bay 2 or
the system will not boot.

4

lower)

The dual LAN ports can suport 1 Gbps and 10
Gbps, depending on the link-partner capability.

Rear identification button/LED7Serial port COM 1 (DB-9 connector)1

USB 3.0 ports (three)8VGA video port (DB-15 connector)2

9Not used at this time3

Power supplies 1 – 4 (hot-swappable, redundant as
2+2 (default) or 3+1)

See Power Specifications, on page 128 for
specifications and supported options.

Threaded holes for dual-hole grounding lug101-Gb/10-Gb Ethernet ports (LAN1 upper, LAN2

Cisco UCS C480 M5 Server Installation and Service Guide

3

Serviceable Component Locations

Overview

5

(Base-T)

1110/100/1000 Ethernet dedicated management port

-Not used at this time6

Serviceable Component Locations

This topic shows the locations of the field-replaceable components and service-related items.

The Technical Specifications Sheets for all versions of this server, which include supported component part
numbers, are at Cisco UCS Servers Technical Specifications Sheets (scroll down to Technical Specifications).

• Serviceable Components Inside the Main Chassis, on page 5

• Serviceable Components Inside a CPU Module, on page 8

• Serviceable Components Inside an I/O Module, on page 9

PCIe slots 1 – 12

See PCIe Slot Specifications and Restrictions, on

page 89 for slot specifications.

Cisco UCS C480 M5 Server Installation and Service Guide

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Overview

Serviceable Components Inside the Main Chassis

Figure 3: Serviceable Component Locations Inside the Main Chassis

Serviceable Component Locations

Cisco UCS C480 M5 Server Installation and Service Guide

5

Serviceable Component Locations

Overview

1

11RAID controller card for front-loading drives.

(not visible in this view; position is near chassis
floor under CPU modules)

2

PCIe slot 01: Primary slot for Cisco UCS VIC
adapter card.

(Secondary slot for Cisco UCS VIC is slot 02.)

Power connectors for high-power GPU cards (six)12Supercap (RAID backup) for front RAID controller

(not visible in this view; mounting bracket position
is on chassis wall under CPU modules)

3

13Fan modules (four modules with two fans each;

hot-swappable)

4

Trusted platform module socket (TPM) on
motherboard

CPU modules (up to two, font-loading)14Air diffuser for auxiliary rear drive module

This diffuser is required only when using
SAS/SATA drives in the rear drive module.

5

15Position of the supercap unit (RAID backup) for

the rear RAID controller.

The clip for the supercap is on the inside surface
of the air diffuser.

Left bay module (drive bays 1 - 8)

• Bays 1, 2, 7, 8 support SAS/SATA or NVMe
drives.

Front NVMe drives are not supported in a
single-CPU module system.

• Bays 3, 4, 5, 6 support SAS/SATA drives only.

Note

An NVMe-only front drive module is
available that supports up to 8 NVMe
SSDs. You cannot mix this NVMe-only
module with SAS/SATA modules or
change module types in the field.

6

16Auxiliary rear drive module; holds either (no

mixing):

• Up to eight 2.5-inch SAS/SATA drives

• Up to eight 2.5-inch NVMe SSDs

Center bay module (drive bays 9 - 16)

• Bays 9, 10, 15, 16 support SAS/SATA or
NVMe drives.

Front NVMe drives are not supported in a
single-CPU module system.

• Bays 11, 12, 13, 14 support SAS/SATA drives
only.

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Overview

Serviceable Component Locations

17Internal USB 2.0 socket on motherboard7

Right bay module, supports either:

• Drive bays 17 - 24 (shown)

• Bays 17, 18, 23, 24 support SAS/SATA
or NVMe drives.

Front NVMe drives are not supported in
a single-CPU module system.

• Bays 19, 20, 21, 22 support SAS/SATA
drives only.

• Optional DVD drive module

8

18PCIe slots 1 – 12

For PCIe slot specifications, see PCIe Slot

Specifications and Restrictions, on page 89.

PCIe slot 12 is not available when the auxiliary
internal drive cage is used because of internal
clearance.

9

19PCIe slot 11: Default slot for rear RAID controller

whenthe rear drive module is used with SAS/SATA
drives.

Note

In systems with only one CPU module,

I/O module

Note

The I/O module is not field replaceable,
nor can you move an I/O module from
one chassis to another. This module
contains a security chip that requires it to
stay with the PCIe module in the same
chassis, as shipped from the factory.

Power supplies 1 – 4 (hot-swappable, redundant as
2+2 (default) or 3+1)

All power supplies in the system must be identical

(no mixing).
slot 11 is not supported. In this case, the
rear RAID controller must be installed
in slot 10 and a blanking panel must be
installed in slot 11.

10

-PCIe slot 10: Required slot for NVMe switch card

when the rear drive module is used with NVMe
SSDs.

This slot must also be used for the rear RAID
controller in systems with only one CPU module.

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Serviceable Component Locations

Serviceable Components Inside a CPU Module

Figure 4: Serviceable Component Locations Inside a CPU Module

Overview

1

4CPU number differs depending on the CPU module

location:

DIMM sockets controlled by CPU 1 or 3 (channels
A, B, C, D, E, F.)

• CPU 2 and heatsink (when module is in lower
bay 1)

• CPU 4 and heatsink (when module is in upper
bay 2)

Note

The CPUs in CPU module 1 must be
identical with the CPUs in CPU module
2 (no mixing).

2

Release levers for module (two each module)5DIMM sockets controlled by CPU 2 or 4 (channels

G, H, J, K, L, M.)

See DIMM Population Rules and Memory

Performance Guidelines, on page 108 for DIMM

slot numbering.

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Overview

Summary of Server Features

3

location:

• CPU 1 and heatsink (when module is in lower
bay 1)

• CPU 3 and heatsink (when module is in upper
bay 2)

Note

The CPUs in CPU module 1 must be
identical with the CPUs in CPU module
2 (no mixing).

Serviceable Components Inside an I/O Module

Figure 5: Serviceable Component Locations Inside an I/O Module

-CPU number differs depending on the CPU module

2

Supports either an SD card carrier with two SD
card slots or an M.2 SSD carrier with two SATA
M.2 SSD slots.

Summary of Server Features

The following table lists a summary of server features.

RTC battery vertical socket3Micro SD card socket1

-Mini storage module connector

DescriptionFeature

Four rack-unit (4RU) chassisChassis

Cisco UCS C480 M5 Server Installation and Service Guide

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Summary of Server Features

Overview

DescriptionFeature

Central Processor

Memory

Baseboard management

Network and management I/O

The server supports one or two removable CPU modules, each
with two CPUs.

Up to four CPUs from the Intel Xeon Processor Scalable Family.
This includes CPUs from the following series:

• Intel Xeon Gold 5XXX Processors

• Intel Xeon Gold 6XXX Processors

• Intel Xeon Platinum 8XXX Processors

Each of the CPUs support up to 12 DIMMs for a total of 48
DIMMs.

The server supports up to two removable CPU modules, each with
24 DIMM sockets.

Multi-bit error protection is supportedMulti-bit error protection

BMC, running Cisco Integrated Management Controller (Cisco
IMC) firmware.

Depending on your Cisco IMC settings, Cisco IMC can be
accessed through the 1-Gb dedicated management port, the
1-Gb/10-Gb Ethernet LAN ports, or a Cisco virtual interface card.

The network and management I/O ports for this server are on a
removeable I/O module:

WoL

• One 10/100/1000 Ethernet dedicated management port (RJ-45
connector)

• One 10/100/1000 Ethernet private inter-chassis port (RJ-45
connector)

• Two 1-Gb/10-Gb BASE-T Ethernet LAN ports (RJ-45
connectors)

• One RS-232 serial port (DB-9 connector)

• One VGA video connector port (DB-15 connector)

• Two USB 3.0 ports

Front panel:

• One front-panel keyboard/video/mouse (KVM) connector
that is used with the KVM cable, which provides two USB

2.0, one VGA, and one DB-9 serial connector.

The two 1-Gb/10-Gb BASE-T Ethernet LAN ports support the
wake-on-LAN (WoL) standard.

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Overview

Summary of Server Features

DescriptionFeature

Power

ACPI

Cooling

PCIe I/O

InfiniBand

Storage, front-panel

Four power supplies, redundant as 2+2 (default) or 3+1:

•

• AC power supplies 1600 W AC each

Do not mix power supply types or wattages in the server.

The advanced configuration and power interface (ACPI) 4.0
standard is supported.

Four hot-swappable fan modules with two fans in each for
front-to-rear cooling.

Twelve vertical PCIe expansion slots on the chassis motherboard.

See PCIe Slot Specifications and Restrictions, on page 89 for
specifications of the slots.

The PCIe bus slots in this server support the InfiniBand
architecture.

The server can hold up to 24 front-loading, 2.5-inch drives.

Front drive bays are divided across 3 removable drive bay
modules. Each drive bay module has 8 drive bays for a total of
24 front-loading drive bays.

• All 24 front drive bays support SAS/SATA drives.

Storage, internal

• Each of the 3 drive bay modules have 4 bays that support
NVMe SSDs, for a total of 12 bays that support NVMe SSDs.

Note

An NVMe-only front drive module is available that
supports up to 8 NVMe SSDs. You cannot mix this
NVMe-only module with SAS/SATA modules or
change module types in the field.

The server has these internal storage options:

• The optional, rear drive bay module has 8 drive bays. All 8
bays support either all SAS/SATA drives or all NVMe SSDs.
Mixing is not supported.

• One USB 2.0 port on the chassis motherboard.

• Mini-storage module socket on the I/O module board,
optionally with either:

• SD card carrier. Supports up to two SD cards.

• M.2 SSD carrier. Supports two SATA M.2 SSDs.

• One micro-SD card socket on the I/O module board.

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Summary of Server Features

Overview

DescriptionFeature

Other removable media

Storage management

RAID supercap backup

A DVD drive module option is available in place of the right drive
bay module.

• Front-loading storage: the server has a dedicated internal
socket near the chassis front for a single storage controller
card (RAID or HBA). This controller card can control up to
24 front-loading drives.

• Internal, auxiliary storage. The server supports these options:

• When SAS/SATA drives are populated in the auxiliary
rear drive bays, they can be controlled by a storage
controller card in PCIe slot 11 or 10.

• When NVMe SSDs are populated in the auxiliary drive
bays, you must have an NVMe switch card in PCIe slot

10.

For a detailed list of storage controller options, see Supported

Storage Controllers and Cables, on page 133.

The server supports the following options when RAID cards are
installed:

• There is a bracket on the chassis wall for a supercap unit that
backs up a front RAID controller for front-loading drives.

• There is a bracket on the rear drive module diffuser for a
supercap unit that backs up a rear RAID controller.

Integrated VGA video.Integrated video

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Installing the Server

• Preparing for Installation, on page 13

• Installing the Server in a Rack, on page 16

• Initial Server Setup, on page 20

• NIC Mode and NIC Redundancy Settings, on page 25

• Updating the BIOS and Cisco IMC Firmware, on page 26

• Accessing the System BIOS, on page 27

Preparing for Installation

This section contains the following topics:

Installation Warnings and Guidelines

CHAPTER 2

Note

Warning

Warning

Before you install, operate, or service a server, review the Regulatory Compliance and Safety Information for

Cisco UCS C-Series Servers for important safety information.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS

This warning symbol means danger. You are in a situation that could cause bodily injury. Before you
work on any equipment, be aware of the hazards involved with electrical circuitry and be familiar with
standard practices for preventing accidents. Use the statement number provided at the end of each
warning to locate its translation in the translated safety warnings that accompanied this device.

Statement 1071

To prevent the system from overheating, do not operate it in an area that exceeds the maximum
recommended ambient temperature of: 35° C (95° F).

Statement 1047

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Installation Warnings and Guidelines

Installing the Server

Warning

Warning

Warning

Warning

The plug-socket combination must be accessible at all times, because it serves as the main disconnecting
device.

Statement 1019

This product relies on the building’s installation for short-circuit (overcurrent) protection. Ensure that
the protective device is rated not greater than: 250 V, 15 A.

Statement 1005

Installation of the equipment must comply with local and national electrical codes.

Statement 1074

This unit is intended for installation in restricted access areas. A restricted access area can be accessed
only through the use of a special tool, lock, and key, or other means of security.

Statement 1017

Warning

Warning

Warning

This equipment must be grounded. Never defeat the ground conductor or operate the equipment in the
absence of a suitably installed ground conductor. Contact the appropriate electrical inspection authority
or an electrician if you are uncertain that suitable grounding is available.

Statement 1024

For Nordic countries (Norway, Finland, Sweden and Denmark) this system must be installed in a
Restricted Access Location, where the voltage of the main ground connection of all equipment is the
same (equipotential earth) and the system is connected to a grounded electrical outlet.

Statement 328

High leakage current – earth connection essential before connection to system power supply.

Statement 342

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Installing the Server

Rack Requirements

Warning

Caution

Caution

This equipment must be externally grounded using a customer-supplied ground wire before power is
applied. Contact the appropriate electrical inspection authority or an electrician if you are uncertain
that suitable grounding is available.

Statement 366

To ensure proper airflow it is necessary to rack the servers using rail kits. Physically placing the units on top
of one another or “stacking” without the use of the rail kits blocks the air vents on top of the servers, which
could result in overheating, higher fan speeds, and higher power consumption. We recommend that you mount
your servers on rail kits when you are installing them into the rack because these rails provide the minimal
spacing required between the servers. No additional spacing between the servers is required when you mount
the units using rail kits.

Avoid uninterruptible power supply (UPS) types that use ferroresonant technology. These UPS types can
become unstable with systems such as the Cisco UCS, which can have substantial current draw fluctuations
from fluctuating data traffic patterns.

When you are installing a server, use the following guidelines:

• Plan your site configuration and prepare the site before installing the server. See the Cisco UCS Site

Preparation Guide for the recommended site planning tasks.

• Ensure that there is adequate space around the server to allow for accessing the server and for adequate
airflow. The airflow in this server is from front to back.

• Ensure that the air-conditioning meets the thermal requirements listed in the Environmental Specifications,

on page 127.

• Ensure that the cabinet or rack meets the requirements listed in the Rack Requirements, on page 15.

• Ensure that the site power meets the power requirements listed in the Power Specifications, on page 128.
If available, you can use an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) to protect against power failures.

Rack Requirements

The rack must be of the following type:

• A standard 19-in. (48.3-cm) wide, four-post EIA rack, with mounting posts that conform to English
universal hole spacing, per section 1 of ANSI/EIA-310-D-1992.

• The rack-post holes can be square 0.38-inch (9.6 mm), round 0.28-inch (7.1 mm), #12-24 UNC, or #10-32
UNC when you use the Cisco-supplied slide rails.

• The minimum vertical rack space per server must be four rack units (RUs), equal to 7.0 in. (177.8 mm).

Cisco UCS C480 M5 Server Installation and Service Guide

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Installing the Server in a Rack

Supported Cisco Slide Rail Kits

The server supports the following rail kit options:

• Cisco part UCSC-RAIL-4U-M5= (ball-bearing slide rail kit)

• Cisco part UCSC-CMA-4U-M5= (cable management arm)

Rack Installation Tools Required

The slide rails sold by Cisco Systems for this server do not require tools for installation.

Slide Rail and Cable Management Arm Dimensions

The slide rails for this server have an adjustment range of 24 to 36 inches (610 to 914 mm).

The optional cable management arm (CMA) adds additional length requirements:

• The additional distance from the rear of the server to the rear of the CMA is 5.4 inches (137.4 mm).

• The total length of the server including the CMA is 35.2 inches (894 mm).

Installing the Server

Installing the Server in a Rack

Warning

Step 1 Attach the inner rails to the sides of the server:

a) Align an inner rail with one side of the server so that the keyed slots in the rail align with the pegs on the side of the

b) Set the keyed slots over the pegs, and then slide the rail toward the front to lock it in place on the pegs. The front slot

c) Install the second inner rail to the opposite side of the server.

To prevent bodily injury when mounting or servicing this unit in a rack, you must take special
precautions to ensure that the system remains stable. The following guidelines are provided to ensure
your safety:

This unit should be mounted at the bottom of the rack if it is the only unit in the rack.

When mounting this unit in a partially filled rack, load the rack from the bottom to the top with the
heaviest component at the bottom of the rack.

If the rack is provided with stabilizing devices, install the stabilizers before mounting or servicing the
unit in the rack.

Statement 1006

server.

has a metal clip that locks over the front peg.

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Installing the Server

Figure 6: Attaching the Inner Rail to the Side of the Server

Installing the Server in a Rack

Pegs on side of server2Inner rail1

Step 2 Open the front securing plate on both slide-rail assemblies. The front end of the slide-rail assembly has a spring-loaded

securing plate that must be open before you can insert the mounting pegs into the rack-post holes.

On the outside of the assembly, push the green-arrow button toward the rear to open the securing plate.

Figure 7: Front Securing Mechanism, Inside of Front End

3Front mounting pegs1

Securing plate shown pulled back to the open
position

2

-Rack post between mounting pegs and opened

securing plate

Step 3 Install the outer slide rails into the rack:

a) Align one slide-rail assembly front end with the front rack-post holes that you want to use.

The slide rail front-end wraps around the outside of the rack post and the mounting pegs enter the rack-post holes
from the outside-front.

Note

The rack post must be between the mounting pegs and the open securing plate.

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Installing the Server in a Rack

b) Push the mounting pegs into the rack-post holes from the outside-front.
c) Press the securing plate release button, marked PUSH. The spring-loaded securing plate closes to lock the pegs in

place.

d) Adjust the slide-rail length, and then push the rear mounting pegs into the corresponding rear rack-post holes. The

slide rail must be level front-to-rear.

The rear mounting pegs enter the rear rack-post holes from the inside of the rack post.

e) Attach the second slide-rail assembly to the opposite side of the rack. Ensure that the two slide-rail assemblies are at

the same height and are level front-to-back.

f) Pull the inner slide rails on each assembly out toward the rack front until they hit the internal stops and lock in place.

Step 4 Insert the server into the slide rails:

Installing the Server

Caution

This server can weigh up to 146 pounds (66.2 kilograms) when fully loaded with components. We recommend
that you use a minimum of two people or a mechanical lift when lifting the server. Attempting this procedure
alone could result in personal injury or equipment damage.

a) Align the rear ends of the inner rails that are attached to the server sides with the front ends of the empty slide rails

on the rack.
b) Push the inner rails into the slide rails on the rack until they stop at the internal stops.
c) Slide the inner-rail release clip toward the rear on both inner rails, and then continue pushing the server into the rack

until its front slam-latches engage with the rack posts.

Figure 8: Inner-Rail Release Clip

Outer slide rail attached to rack post3Inner-rail release clip1

2

-Inner rail attached to server and inserted into

outer slide rail

Step 5 (Optional) Secure the server in the rack more permanently by using the two screws that are provided with the slide rails.

Perform this step if you plan to move the rack with servers installed.

With the server fully pushed into the slide rails, open a hinged slam latch lever on the front of the server and insert a
screw through the hole that is under the lever. The screw threads into the static part of the rail on the rack post and prevents
the server from being pulled out. Repeat for the opposite slam latch.

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Installing the Server

Installing the Cable Management Arm (Optional)

Installing the Cable Management Arm (Optional)

Note

The cable management arm (CMA) is reversible left-to-right. To reverse the CMA, see Reversing the Cable

Management Arm (Optional), on page 20 before installation.

Step 1 With the server pushed fully into the rack, slide the CMA tab of the CMA arm that is farthest from the server onto the

end of the stationary slide rail that is attached to the rack post. Slide the tab over the end of the rail until it clicks and
locks.

Figure 9: Attaching the CMA to the Rear Ends of the Slide Rails

1

to end of stationary outer slide rail.

2

to end of inner slide rail attached to server.

Step 2 Slide the CMA tab that is closest to the server over the end of the inner rail that is attached to the server. Slide the tab

over the end of the rail until it clicks and locks

Step 3 Pull out the width-adjustment slider that is at the opposite end of the CMA assembly until it matches the width of your

rack.

Step 4 Slide the CMA tab that is at the end of the width-adjustment slider onto the end of the stationary slide rail that is attached

to the rack post. Slide the tab over the end of the rail until it clicks and locks.

3CMA tab on arm farthest from server attaches

CMA tab on width-adjustment slider attaches
to end of stationary outer slide rail.

Rear of server4CMA tab on arm closest to the server attaches

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Installing the Server

Reversing the Cable Management Arm (Optional)

Step 5 Open the hinged flap at the top of each plastic cable guide and route your cables through the cable guides as desired.

Reversing the Cable Management Arm (Optional)

Step 1 Rotate the entire CMA assembly 180 degrees, left-to-right. The plastic cable guides must remain pointing upward.

Step 2 Flip the tabs at the ends of the CMA arms so that they point toward the rear of the server.

Step 3 Pivot the tab that is at the end of the width-adjustment slider. Depress and hold the metal button on the outside of the tab

and pivot the tab 180 degrees so that it points toward the rear of the server.

Figure 10: Reversing the CMA

Initial Server Setup

Note

This section describes how to power on the server, assign an IP address, and connect to server management
when using the server in standalone mode. To use the server in Cisco UCS Manager integration, specific
cabling and settings are required. See Installation For Cisco UCS Manager Integration, on page 161.

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Metal button on outside of tab2CMA tab on end of width-adjustment slider1

Installing the Server

Connecting to the Server Locally For Setup

Server Default Settings

The server is shipped with these default settings:

• The NIC mode is Shared LOM EXT.

Shared LOM EXT mode enables the 1-Gb/10-Gb Ethernet ports and the ports on any installed Cisco
virtual interface card (VIC) to access the Cisco Integrated Management Interface (Cisco IMC). If you
want to use the 10/100/1000 dedicated management port to access Cisco IMC, you can connect to the
server and change the NIC mode as described in Setting Up the System With the Cisco IMC Configuration

Utility, on page 23.

• The NIC redundancy is Active-Active. All Ethernet ports are utilized simultaneously.

• DHCP is enabled.

• IPv4 is enabled.

Connection Methods

There are two methods for connecting to the system for initial setup:

• Local setup—Use this procedure if you want to connect a keyboard and monitor directly to the system
for setup. This procedure can use a KVM cable (Cisco PID N20-BKVM) or the ports on the rear of the
server.

• Remote setup—Use this procedure if you want to perform setup through your dedicated management
LAN.

Note

To configure the system remotely, you must have a DHCP server on the same
network as the system. Your DHCP server must be preconfigured with the range
of MAC addresses for this server node. The MAC address is printed on a label
that is on the pull-out asset tag on the front panel. This server node has a range
of six MAC addresses assigned to the Cisco IMC. The MAC address printed on
the label is the beginning of the range of six contiguous MAC addresses.

Connecting to the Server Locally For Setup

This procedure requires the following equipment:

• VGA monitor

• USB keyboard

• Either the supported Cisco KVM cable (Cisco PID N20-BKVM); or a USB cable and VGA DB-15 cable

Step 1 Attach a power cord to each power supply in your server, and then attach each power cord to a grounded AC power outlet.

Wait for approximately two minutes to let the server boot to standby power during the first bootup. You can verify system
power status by looking at the system Power Status LED on the front panel. The system is in standby power mode when
the LED is amber.

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Connecting to the Server Remotely For Setup

Step 2 Connect a USB keyboard and VGA monitor to the server using one of the following methods:

• Connect an optional KVM cable (Cisco PID N20-BKVM) to the KVM connector on the front panel. Connect your
USB keyboard and VGA monitor to the KVM cable.

• Connect a USB keyboard and VGA monitor to the corresponding connectors on the rear panel.

Step 3 Open the Cisco IMC Configuration Utility:

a) Press and hold the front panel power button for four seconds to boot the server.
b) During bootup, press F8 when prompted to open the Cisco IMC Configuration Utility.

Installing the Server

Note

The first time that you enter the Cisco IMC Configuration Utility, you are prompted to change the default
password. The default password is password. The Strong Password feature is enabled.

The following are the requirements for Strong Password:

• The password can have minimum 8 characters; maximum 14 characters.

• The password must not contain the user’s name.

• The password must contain characters from three of the following four categories:

• English uppercase letters (A through Z)

• English lowercase letters (a through z)

• Base 10 digits (0 through 9)

• Non-alphabetic characters !, @, #, $, %, ^, &, *, -, _, =, “

Step 4 Continue with Setting Up the System With the Cisco IMC Configuration Utility, on page 23.

Connecting to the Server Remotely For Setup

This procedure requires the following equipment:

• One RJ-45 Ethernet cable that is connected to your management LAN.

Before you begin

Note

To configure the system remotely, you must have a DHCP server on the same network as the system. Your
DHCP server must be preconfigured with the range of MAC addresses for this server node. The MAC address
is printed on a label that is on the pull-out asset tag on the front panel. This server node has a range of six
MAC addresses assigned to the Cisco IMC. The MAC address printed on the label is the beginning of the
range of six contiguous MAC addresses.

Step 1 Attach a power cord to each power supply in your server, and then attach each power cord to a grounded AC power outlet.

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Installing the Server

Setting Up the System With the Cisco IMC Configuration Utility

Wait for approximately two minutes to let the server boot to standby power during the first bootup. You can verify system
power status by looking at the system Power Status LED on the front panel. The system is in standby power mode when
the LED is amber.

Step 2 Plug your management Ethernet cable into the dedicated management port on the rear panel.

Step 3 Allow your preconfigured DHCP server to assign an IP address to the server node.

Step 4 Use the assigned IP address to access and log in to the Cisco IMC for the server node. Consult with your DHCP server

administrator to determine the IP address.

Note

The default user name for the server is admin. The default password is password.

Step 5 From the Cisco IMC Server Summary page, click Launch KVM Console. A separate KVM console window opens.

Step 6 From the Cisco IMC Summary page, click Power Cycle Server. The system reboots.

Step 7 Select the KVM console window.

Note

The KVM console window must be the active window for the following keyboard actions to work.

Step 8 When prompted, press F8 to enter the Cisco IMC Configuration Utility. This utility opens in the KVM console window.

Note

The first time that you enter the Cisco IMC Configuration Utility, you are prompted to change the default
password. The default password is password. The Strong Password feature is enabled.

The following are the requirements for Strong Password:

• The password can have minimum 8 characters; maximum 14 characters.

• The password must not contain the user’s name.

• The password must contain characters from three of the following four categories:

• English uppercase letters (A through Z)

• English lowercase letters (a through z)

• Base 10 digits (0 through 9)

• Non-alphabetic characters !, @, #, $, %, ^, &, *, -, _, =, “

Step 9 Continue with Setting Up the System With the Cisco IMC Configuration Utility, on page 23.

Setting Up the System With the Cisco IMC Configuration Utility

Before you begin

The following procedure is performed after you connect to the system and open the Cisco IMC Configuration
Utility.

Step 1 Set the NIC mode to choose which ports to use to access Cisco IMC for server management:

• Shared LOM EXT (default)—This is the shared LOM extended mode, the factory-default setting. With this mode,
the Shared LOM and Cisco Card interfaces are both enabled. You must select the default Active-Active NIC
redundancy setting in the following step.

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Setting Up the System With the Cisco IMC Configuration Utility

In this NIC mode, DHCP replies are returned to both the shared LOM ports and the Cisco card ports. If the system
determines that the Cisco card connection is not getting its IP address from a Cisco UCS Manager system because
the server is in standalone mode, further DHCP requests from the Cisco card are disabled. Use the Cisco Card
NIC mode if you want to connect to Cisco IMC through a Cisco card in standalone mode.

• Shared LOM—The 1-Gb/10-Gb Ethernet ports are used to access Cisco IMC. You must select either the
Active-Active or Active-standby NIC redundancy setting in the following step.

• Dedicated—The dedicated management port is used to access Cisco IMC. You must select the None NIC redundancy
setting in the following step.

• Cisco Card—The ports on an installed Cisco UCS Virtual Interface Card (VIC) are used to access the Cisco IMC.
You must select either the Active-Active or Active-standby NIC redundancy setting in the following step.

See also the required VIC Slot setting below.

Step 2 Set the NIC redundancy to your preference. This server has three possible NIC redundancy settings:

• None—The Ethernet ports operate independently and do not fail over if there is a problem. This setting can be
used only with the Dedicated NIC mode.

Installing the Server

• Active-standby—If an active Ethernet port fails, traffic fails over to a standby port. Shared LOM and Cisco Card
modes can each use either Active-standby or Active-active settings.

• Active-active (default)—All Ethernet ports are utilized simultaneously. The Shared LOM EXT mode must use
only this NIC redundancy setting. Shared LOM and Cisco Card modes can each use either Active-standby or
Active-active settings.

Step 3 Choose whether to enable DHCP for dynamic network settings, or to enter static network settings.

Note

Before you enable DHCP, you must preconfigure your DHCP server with the range of MAC addresses for
this server. The MAC address is printed on a label on the rear of the server. This server has a range of six
MAC addresses assigned to Cisco IMC. The MAC address printed on the label is the beginning of the range
of six contiguous MAC addresses.

The static IPv4 and IPv6 settings include the following:

• The Cisco IMC IP address.

For IPv6, valid values are 1 - 127.

• The gateway.

For IPv6, if you do not know the gateway, you can set it as none by entering :: (two colons).

• The preferred DNS server address.

For IPv6, you can set this as none by entering :: (two colons).

Step 4 (Optional) Make VLAN settings.

Step 5 Press F1 to go to the second settings window, then continue with the next step.

From the second window, you can press F2 to switch back to the first window.

Step 6 (Optional) Set a hostname for the server.

Step 7 (Optional) Enable dynamic DNS and set a dynamic DNS (DDNS) domain.

Step 8 (Optional) If you check the Factory Default check box, the server reverts to the factory defaults.

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Installing the Server

Step 9 (Optional) Set a default user password.

NIC Mode and NIC Redundancy Settings

Note

The factory default username for the server is admin. The default password is password.

Step 10 (Optional) Enable auto-negotiation of port settings or set the port speed and duplex mode manually.

Note

Auto-negotiation is applicable only when you use the Dedicated NIC mode. Auto-negotiation sets the port
speed and duplex mode automatically based on the switch port to which the server is connected. If you disable
auto-negotiation, you must set the port speed and duplex mode manually.

Step 11 (Optional) Reset port profiles and the port name.

Step 12 Press F5 to refresh the settings that you made. You might have to wait about 45 seconds until the new settings appear

and the message, “Network settings configured” is displayed before you reboot the server in the next step.

Step 13 Press F10 to save your settings and reboot the server.

Note

If you chose to enable DHCP, the dynamically assigned IP and MAC addresses are displayed on the console
screen during bootup.

What to do next

Use a browser and the IP address of the Cisco IMC to connect to the Cisco IMC management interface. The
IP address is based upon the settings that you made (either a static address or the address assigned by your
DHCP server).

Note

The factory default username for the server is admin. The default password is password.

To manage the server, see the Cisco UCS C-Series Rack-Mount Server Configuration Guide or the Cisco UCS
C-Series Rack-Mount Server CLI Configuration Guide for instructions on using those interfaces for your
Cisco IMC release. The links to the configuration guides are in the Cisco UCS C-Series Documentation

Roadmap.

NIC Mode and NIC Redundancy Settings

Table 1: Valid NIC Redundancy Settings For Each NIC Mode

Valid NIC Redundancy SettingsNIC Mode

Active-activeShared LOM

EXT

NoneDedicated

Shared LOM

Active-active

Active-standby

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Updating the BIOS and Cisco IMC Firmware

Installing the Server

Cisco Card

This server has the following NIC mode settings that you can choose from:

• Shared LOM EXT (default)—This is the shared LOM extended mode, the factory-default setting. With
this mode, the Shared LOM and Cisco Card interfaces are both enabled. You must select the default
Active-Active NIC redundancy setting in the following step.

In this NIC mode, DHCP replies are returned to both the shared LOM ports and the Cisco card ports. If
the system determines that the Cisco card connection is not getting its IP address from a Cisco UCS
Manager system because the server is in standalone mode, further DHCP requests from the Cisco card
are disabled. Use the Cisco Card NIC mode if you want to connect to Cisco IMC through a Cisco card
in standalone mode.

• Shared LOM—The 1-Gb/10-Gb Ethernet ports are used to access Cisco IMC. You must select either the
Active-Active or Active-standby NIC redundancy setting in the following step.

• Dedicated—The dedicated management port is used to access Cisco IMC. You must select the None
NIC redundancy setting in the following step.

• Cisco Card—The ports on an installed Cisco UCS Virtual Interface Card (VIC) are used to access the
Cisco IMC. You must select either the Active-Active or Active-standby NIC redundancy setting in the
following step.

See also the required VIC Slot setting below.

Active-active

Active-standby

This server has the following NIC redundancy settings that you can choose from:

• None—The Ethernet ports operate independently and do not fail over if there is a problem. This setting
can be used only with the Dedicated NIC mode.

• Active-standby—If an active Ethernet port fails, traffic fails over to a standby port. Shared LOM and
Cisco Card modes can each use either Active-standby or Active-active settings.

• Active-active (default)—All Ethernet ports are utilized simultaneously. The Shared LOM EXT mode
must use only this NIC redundancy setting. Shared LOM and Cisco Card modes can each use either
Active-standby or Active-active settings.

Updating the BIOS and Cisco IMC Firmware

Caution

When you upgrade the BIOS firmware, you must also upgrade the Cisco IMC firmware to the same version
or the server does not boot. Do not power off the server until the BIOS and Cisco IMC firmware are matching
or the server does not boot.

Cisco provides the Cisco Host Upgrade Utility to assist with simultaneously upgrading the BIOS, Cisco IMC,
and other firmware to compatible levels.

The server uses firmware obtained from and certified by Cisco. Cisco provides release notes with each firmware
image. There are several possible methods for updating the firmware:

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Installing the Server

• Recommended method for firmware update: Use the Cisco Host Upgrade Utility to simultaneously
upgrade the Cisco IMC, BIOS, and component firmware to compatible levels.

See the Cisco Host Upgrade Utility Quick Reference Guide for your firmware release at the documentation
roadmap link below.

• You can upgrade the Cisco IMC and BIOS firmware by using the Cisco IMC GUI interface.

See the Cisco UCS C-Series Rack-Mount Server Configuration Guide.

• You can upgrade the Cisco IMC and BIOS firmware by using the Cisco IMC CLI interface.

See the Cisco UCS C-Series Rack-Mount Server CLI Configuration Guide.

For links to the documents listed above, see the Cisco UCS C-Series Documentation Roadmap.

Accessing the System BIOS

Accessing the System BIOS

Step 1 Enter the BIOS Setup Utility by pressing the F2 key when prompted during bootup.

Note

Step 2 Use the arrow keys to select the BIOS menu page.

Step 3 Highlight the field to be modified by using the arrow keys.

Step 4 Press Enter to select the field that you want to change, and then modify the value in the field.

Step 5 Press the right arrow key until the Exit menu screen is displayed.

Step 6 Follow the instructions on the Exit menu screen to save your changes and exit the setup utility (or press F10). You can

exit without saving changes by pressing Esc.

The version and build of the current BIOS are displayed on the Main page of the utility.

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Accessing the System BIOS

Installing the Server

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Maintaining the Server

This chapter contains the following sections:

• Status LEDs and Buttons, on page 29

• Preparing For Component Installation, on page 34

• Serviceable Component Locations, on page 39

• Replacing Components Inside the Main Chassis, on page 44

• Replacing Components Inside a CPU Module, on page 94

• Replacing Components Inside an I/O Module, on page 111

• Service DIP Switches, on page 118

Status LEDs and Buttons

This section contains information for interpreting LED states.

Front-Panel LEDs

CHAPTER 3

Figure 11: Front Panel LEDs

Table 2: Front Panel LEDs, Definition of States

StatesLED Name

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Front-Panel LEDs

Maintaining the Server

Power button/LED1

• Off—There is no AC power to the server.

• Amber—The server is in standby power mode. Power
is supplied only to the Cisco IMC and some
motherboard functions.

• Green—The server is in main power mode. Power is
supplied to all server components.

Unit identification2

• Off—The unit identification function is not in use.

• Blue, blinking—The unit identification function is
activated.

System health3

• Green—The server is running in normal operating
condition.

• Amber, steady—The server is in a degraded
operational state (minor fault). For example:

• Power supply redundancy is lost.

• CPUs are mismatched.

• At least one CPU is faulty.

• At least one DIMM is faulty.

• At least one drive in a RAID configuration failed.

• Amber, blinking—The server is in a critical fault state.
For example:

• Boot failure

• Fatal processor and/or bus error detected

• Over-temperature condition

Power supply status4

• Green—All power supplies are operating normally.

• Amber, steady—One or more power supplies are in
a degraded operational state.

• Amber, blinking—One or more power supplies are
in a critical fault state.

Fan status5

• Green—All fan modules are operating properly.

• Amber, steady—Fan modules are in a degraded state.
One fan module has a fault.

• Amber, blinking—Two or more fan modules have
faults.

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Maintaining the Server

Front-Panel LEDs

8

SAS

Network link activity6

Temperature status7

SAS/SATA drive fault

Note

NVMe solid state drive (SSD) drive tray
LEDs have different behavior than
SAS/SATA drive trays.

• Off—The Ethernet LOM port link is idle.

• Green—One or more Ethernet LOM ports are
link-active, but there is no activity.

• Green, blinking—One or more Ethernet LOM ports
are link-active, with activity.

• Green—The server is operating at normal temperature.
No error conditions detected.

• Amber, steady—One or more temperature sensors
exceeded a warning threshold.

• Amber, blinking—One or more temperature sensors
exceeded a critical non-recoverable threshold.

• Off—The hard drive is operating properly.

• Amber—Drive fault detected.

• Amber, blinking—The device is rebuilding.

• Amber, blinking with one-second interval—Drive
locate function activated in the software.

SAS

8

NVMe

NVMe

SAS/SATA drive activity LED9

NVMe SSD drive fault

Note

NVMe solid state drive (SSD) drive tray
LEDs have different behavior than
SAS/SATA drive trays.

NVMe SSD activity9

• Off—There is no hard drive in the hard drive tray (no
access, no fault).

• Green—The hard drive is ready.

• Green, blinking—The hard drive is reading or writing
data.

• Off—The drive is not in use and can be safely
removed.

• Green—The drive is in use and functioning properly.

• Green, blinking—the driver is initializing following
insertion or the driver is unloading following an eject
command.

• Amber—The drive has failed.

• Amber, blinking—A drive Locate command has been
issued in the software.

• Off—No drive activity.

• Green, blinking—There is drive activity.

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Rear-Panel LEDs

Maintaining the Server

CPU module power status10

CPU module fault11

-

DVD drive activity

(optional DVD module not shown)

Rear-Panel LEDs

Figure 12: Rear Panel LEDs

• Green—The CPU module is correctly seated and
receiving power.

• Off—There is no power to the CPU module or it is
incorrectly seated.

• Off—There is no fault with the CPUs or DIMMs on
the CPU module board.

• Amber—There is a fault with a CPU or DIMM on the
CPU module board, such as an over-temperature
condition.

• Off—The drive is idle.

• Green, steady—The drive is spinning up a disk.

• Green, blinking—The drive is accessing data.

Table 3: Rear Panel LEDs, Definition of States

1

1-Gb/10-Gb Ethernet link speed (on both LAN1 and
LAN2)

These ports auto-negotiate link speed based on the
link-partner capability.

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StatesLED Name

• Off—Link speed is 100 Mbps.

• Amber—Link speed is 1 Gbps.

• Green—Link speed is 10 Gbps.

Maintaining the Server

Internal Diagnostic LEDs

2

1-Gb/10-Gb Ethernet link status (on both LAN1 and
LAN2)

• Off—No link is present.

• Green—Link is active.

• Green, blinking—Traffic is present on the active link.

1-Gb Ethernet dedicated management link speed3

• Off—Link speed is 10 Mbps.

• Amber—Link speed is 100 Mbps.

• Green—Link speed is 1 Gbps.

1-Gb Ethernet dedicated management link status4

• Off—No link is present.

• Green—Link is active.

• Green, blinking—Traffic is present on the active link.

Rear unit identification5

• Off—The unit identification function is not in use.

• Blue, blinking—The unit identification function is
activated.

Power supply status (one LED each power supply unit)6

AC power supplies:

• Off—No AC input (12 V main power off, 12 V
standby power off).

Internal Diagnostic LEDs

The system has the following internal fault LEDs to help with identifying a failing component:

• Each chassis fan module has a fault LED on top of the module. These fan LEDs operate only when the
system is in standby power mode.

• The CPU module has internal fault LEDs for CPUs and DIMMs on the CPU module board. POST and
runtime error detection routines are stored in on-board registers. The contents of the registers are preserved
for a limited time by a supercap voltage source.

To operate the LEDs, press switch SW1 on the board after the CPU module is removed from the chassis.

• Green, blinking—12 V main power off; 12 V standby
power on.

• Green, solid—12 V main power on; 12 V standby
power on.

• Amber, blinking—Warning threshold detected but 12
V main power on.

• Amber, solid—Critical error detected; 12 V main
power off (for example, over-current, over-voltage,
or over-temperature failure).

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Preparing For Component Installation

Figure 13: Internal Diagnostic LED Locations

Maintaining the Server

1

the board).

• Amber—CPU has a fault.

• Off—CPU is OK.

2

SW1 is labeled, " PRESS HERE TO SEE
FAULTS".

3CPU fault LEDs (one behind each CPU socket on

-Switch SW1

Preparing For Component Installation

This section includes information and tasks that help prepare the server for component installation.

Required Equipment For Service Procedures

The following tools and equipment are used to perform the procedures in this chapter:

• T-30 Torx driver (supplied with replacement CPUs for heatsink removal)

DIMM fault LEDs (one next to each DIMM socket
on the board)

• Amber—DIMM has a fault.

• Off—DIMM is OK.

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Maintaining the Server

Shutting Down and Removing Power From the Server

• #1 flat-head screwdriver (supplied with replacement CPUs for heatsink removal)

• #1 Phillips-head screwdriver (for M.2 SSD replacement)

• Electrostatic discharge (ESD) strap or other grounding equipment such as a grounded mat

Shutting Down and Removing Power From the Server

The server can run in either of two power modes:

• Main power mode—Power is supplied to all server components and any operating system on your drives
can run.

• Standby power mode—Power is supplied only to the service processor and certain components. It is safe
for the operating system and data to remove power cords from the server in this mode.

Caution

After a server is shut down to standby power, electric current is still present in the server. To completely
remove power, you must disconnect all power cords from the power supplies in the server, as directed in the
service procedures.

You can shut down the server by using the front-panel power button or the software management interfaces.

Shutting Down Using the Power Button

Step 1 Check the color of the Power button/LED:

• Amber—The server is already in standby mode and you can safely remove power.

• Green—The server is in main power mode and must be shut down before you can safely remove power.

Step 2 Invoke either a graceful shutdown or a hard shutdown:

Caution

To avoid data loss or damage to your operating system, you should always invoke a graceful shutdown of the
operating system.

• Graceful shutdown—Press and release the Power button. The operating system performs a graceful shutdown and
the server goes to standby mode, which is indicated by an amber Power button/LED.

• Emergency shutdown—Press and hold the Power button for 4 seconds to force the main power off and immediately
enter standby mode.

Step 3 If a service procedure instructs you to completely remove power from the server, disconnect all power cords from the

power supplies in the server.

Shutting Down Using The Cisco IMC GUI

You must log in with user or admin privileges to perform this task.

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Maintaining the Server

Shutting Down Using The Cisco IMC CLI

Step 1 In the Navigation pane, click the Server tab.

Step 2 On the Server tab, click Summary.

Step 3 In the Actions area, click Power Off Server.

Step 4 Click OK.

The operating system performs a graceful shutdown and the server goes to standby mode, which is indicated by an amber
Power button/LED.

Step 5 If a service procedure instructs you to completely remove power from the server, disconnect all power cords from the

power supplies in the server.

Shutting Down Using The Cisco IMC CLI

You must log in with user or admin privileges to perform this task.

Step 1 At the server prompt, enter:

Example:

server# scope chassis

Step 2 At the chassis prompt, enter:

Example:

server/chassis# power shutdown

The operating system performs a graceful shutdown and the server goes to standby mode, which is indicated by an amber
Power button/LED.

Step 3 If a service procedure instructs you to completely remove power from the server, disconnect all power cords from the

power supplies in the server.

Shutting Down Using The Cisco UCS Manager Equipment Tab

You must log in with user or admin privileges to perform this task.

Step 1 In the Navigation pane, click Equipment.

Step 2 Expand Equipment > Rack Mounts > Servers.

Step 3 Choose the server that you want to shut down.

Step 4 In the Work pane, click the General tab.

Step 5 In the Actions area, click Shutdown Server.

Step 6 If a confirmation dialog displays, click Yes.

The operating system performs a graceful shutdown and the server goes to standby mode, which is indicated by an amber
Power button/LED.

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Maintaining the Server

Shutting Down Using The Cisco UCS Manager Service Profile

Step 7 If a service procedure instructs you to completely remove power from the server, disconnect all power cords from the

power supplies in the server.

Shutting Down Using The Cisco UCS Manager Service Profile

You must log in with user or admin privileges to perform this task.

Step 1 In the Navigation pane, click Servers.

Step 2 Expand Servers > Service Profiles.

Step 3 Expand the node for the organization that contains the service profile of the server that you are shutting down.

Step 4 Choose the service profile of the server that you are shutting down.

Step 5 In the Work pane, click the General tab.

Step 6 In the Actions area, click Shutdown Server.

Step 7 If a confirmation dialog displays, click Yes.

The operating system performs a graceful shutdown and the server goes to standby mode, which is indicated by an amber
Power button/LED.

Step 8 If a service procedure instructs you to completely remove power from the server, disconnect all power cords from the

power supplies in the server.

Removing the Server Top Cover

Step 1 Remove the top cover:

a) If the cover latch is locked, use a screwdriver to turn the lock 90-degrees counterclockwise to unlock it.
b) Lift on the end of the latch that has the green finger grip. The cover is pushed back to the open position as you lift

the latch.

c) Lift the top cover straight up from the server and set it aside.

Step 2 Replace the top cover:

a) With the latch in the fully open position, place the cover on top of the server about one-half inch (1.27 cm) behind

the lip of the front cover panel. The opening in the latch should fit over the peg that sticks up from the fan tray.

b) Press the cover latch down to the closed position. The cover is pushed forward to the closed position as you push

down the latch.

c) If desired, lock the latch by using a screwdriver to turn the lock 90-degrees clockwise.

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Serial Number Location

Figure 14: Removing the Top Cover

Maintaining the Server

Locking cover latch2

Serial Number Location

The serial number for the server is printed on a label on the top of the server, near the front.

Hot Swap vs Hot Plug

Some components can be removed and replaced without shutting down and removing power from the server.
This type of replacement has two varieties: hot-swap and hot-plug.

• Hot-swap replacement—You do not have to shut down the component in the software or operating
system. This applies to the following components:

• SAS/SATA hard drives

• SAS/SATA solid state drives

• Cooling fan modules

• Power supplies (when redundant as 2+2 or 1+1)

Serial number location on label3Top cover1

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• Hot-plug replacement—You must take the component offline before removing it for the following
component:

• NVMe PCIe solid state drives

Serviceable Component Locations

This topic shows the locations of the field-replaceable components and service-related items.

The Technical Specifications Sheets for all versions of this server, which include supported component part
numbers, are at Cisco UCS Servers Technical Specifications Sheets (scroll down to Technical Specifications).

• Serviceable Components Inside the Main Chassis, on page 40

• Serviceable Components Inside a CPU Module, on page 43

• Serviceable Components Inside an I/O Module, on page 44

Serviceable Component Locations

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Serviceable Component Locations

Serviceable Components Inside the Main Chassis

Figure 15: Serviceable Component Locations Inside the Main Chassis

Maintaining the Server

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40

Maintaining the Server

Serviceable Component Locations

1

11RAID controller card for front-loading drives.

(not visible in this view; position is near chassis
floor under CPU modules)

2

PCIe slot 01: Primary slot for Cisco UCS VIC
adapter card.

(Secondary slot for Cisco UCS VIC is slot 02.)

Power connectors for high-power GPU cards (six)12Supercap (RAID backup) for front RAID controller

(not visible in this view; mounting bracket position
is on chassis wall under CPU modules)

3

13Fan modules (four modules with two fans each;

hot-swappable)

4

Trusted platform module socket (TPM) on
motherboard

CPU modules (up to two, font-loading)14Air diffuser for auxiliary rear drive module

This diffuser is required only when using
SAS/SATA drives in the rear drive module.

5

15Position of the supercap unit (RAID backup) for

the rear RAID controller.

The clip for the supercap is on the inside surface
of the air diffuser.

Left bay module (drive bays 1 - 8)

• Bays 1, 2, 7, 8 support SAS/SATA or NVMe
drives.

Front NVMe drives are not supported in a
single-CPU module system.

• Bays 3, 4, 5, 6 support SAS/SATA drives only.

Note

An NVMe-only front drive module is
available that supports up to 8 NVMe
SSDs. You cannot mix this NVMe-only
module with SAS/SATA modules or
change module types in the field.

6

16Auxiliary rear drive module; holds either (no

mixing):

• Up to eight 2.5-inch SAS/SATA drives

• Up to eight 2.5-inch NVMe SSDs

Center bay module (drive bays 9 - 16)

• Bays 9, 10, 15, 16 support SAS/SATA or
NVMe drives.

Front NVMe drives are not supported in a
single-CPU module system.

• Bays 11, 12, 13, 14 support SAS/SATA drives
only.

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Serviceable Component Locations

Maintaining the Server

17Internal USB 2.0 socket on motherboard7

Right bay module, supports either:

• Drive bays 17 - 24 (shown)

• Bays 17, 18, 23, 24 support SAS/SATA

or NVMe drives.

Front NVMe drives are not supported in
a single-CPU module system.

• Bays 19, 20, 21, 22 support SAS/SATA

drives only.

• Optional DVD drive module

8

18PCIe slots 1 – 12

For PCIe slot specifications, see PCIe Slot

Specifications and Restrictions, on page 89.

PCIe slot 12 is not available when the auxiliary
internal drive cage is used because of internal
clearance.

9

19PCIe slot 11: Default slot for rear RAID controller

whenthe rear drive module is used with SAS/SATA
drives.

Note

In systems with only one CPU module,

I/O module

Note

The I/O module is not field replaceable,
nor can you move an I/O module from
one chassis to another. This module
contains a security chip that requires it to
stay with the PCIe module in the same
chassis, as shipped from the factory.

Power supplies 1 – 4 (hot-swappable, redundant as
2+2 (default) or 3+1)

All power supplies in the system must be identical

(no mixing).
slot 11 is not supported. In this case, the
rear RAID controller must be installed
in slot 10 and a blanking panel must be
installed in slot 11.

10

-PCIe slot 10: Required slot for NVMe switch card

when the rear drive module is used with NVMe
SSDs.

This slot must also be used for the rear RAID
controller in systems with only one CPU module.

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Serviceable Components Inside a CPU Module

Figure 16: Serviceable Component Locations Inside a CPU Module

Serviceable Component Locations

1

4CPU number differs depending on the CPU module

location:

DIMM sockets controlled by CPU 1 or 3 (channels
A, B, C, D, E, F.)

• CPU 2 and heatsink (when module is in lower
bay 1)

• CPU 4 and heatsink (when module is in upper
bay 2)

Note

The CPUs in CPU module 1 must be
identical with the CPUs in CPU module
2 (no mixing).

2

Release levers for module (two each module)5DIMM sockets controlled by CPU 2 or 4 (channels

G, H, J, K, L, M.)

See DIMM Population Rules and Memory

Performance Guidelines, on page 108 for DIMM

slot numbering.

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Replacing Components Inside the Main Chassis

Maintaining the Server

3

location:

• CPU 1 and heatsink (when module is in lower
bay 1)

• CPU 3 and heatsink (when module is in upper
bay 2)

Note

The CPUs in CPU module 1 must be
identical with the CPUs in CPU module
2 (no mixing).

Serviceable Components Inside an I/O Module

Figure 17: Serviceable Component Locations Inside an I/O Module

-CPU number differs depending on the CPU module

RTC battery vertical socket3Micro SD card socket1

2

-Mini storage module connector

Supports either an SD card carrier with two SD
card slots or an M.2 SSD carrier with two SATA
M.2 SSD slots.

Replacing Components Inside the Main Chassis

Warning

Blank faceplates and cover panels serve three important functions: they prevent exposure to hazardous
voltages and currents inside the chassis; they contain electromagnetic interference (EMI) that might
disrupt other equipment; and they direct the flow of cooling air through the chassis. Do not operate the
system unless all cards, faceplates, front covers, and rear covers are in place.

Statement 1029

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Maintaining the Server

Replacing a CPU Module

Caution

When handling server components, handle them only by carrier edges and use an electrostatic discharge (ESD)
wrist-strap or other grounding device to avoid damage.

Tip

You can press the unit identification button on the front panel or rear panel to turn on a flashing, blue unit
identification LED on both the front and rear panels of the server. This button allows you to locate the specific
server that you are servicing when you go to the opposite side of the rack. You can also activate these LEDs
remotely by using the Cisco IMC interface.

This section describes how to install and replace main chassis components. See also:

• Replacing Components Inside a CPU Module, on page 94

• Replacing Components Inside an I/O Module, on page 111

Replacing a CPU Module

CPU Module Population Rules:

• The server can operate with one or two CPU modules.

• If you have only one CPU module, populate lower bay 1 first.

• If no CPU module is present in upper bay 2, you must insert a blank filler module or the system will not
boot.

• The following restrictions apply when using only a two-CPU configuration (CPU module 2 is not present):

• The maximum number of DIMMs is 24 (only CPU 1 and CPU 2 memory channels).

• Some PCIe slots are unavailable when CPU module 2 is not present:

PCIe Slots Controlled by CPU Module
1

(CPUs 1 and 2)

PCIe Slots Controlled by CPU Module
2

(CPUs 3 and 4)

3, 4, 6, 7, 11, 121, 2, 5, 8, 9, 10

• Only four double-wide GPUs are supported, in PCIe slots 1, 2, 8, and 10.

• No front NVMe drives are supported.

• The optional NVMe-only drive bay module UCSC-C480-8NVME is not supported.

• If a rear RAID controller is used, it must be installed in PCIe slot 10 rather than the default slot 11.
A blank filler must be installed in slot 11.

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Replacing a CPU Module

Note

Maintaining the Server

Each CPU module has a fault LED on its front that turns amber to help to identify which CPU module has a
fault.

Caution

Never remove a CPU module without shutting down and removing power from the server.

Step 1 Shut down and remove power from the server as described in Shutting Down and Removing Power From the Server, on

page 35.

You do not have to pull the server out from the rack or remove the cover because the CPU modules are accessed from
the front of the chassis.

Step 2 Remove an existing CPU module:

Note

Verify that the power LED on the front of the CPU module is off before removing the module.

a) Grasp the two ejector levers on the module and pinch their latches to release the levers.
b) Rotate both levers to the outside at the same time to evenly disengage the module from the midplane connectors.
c) Pull the module straight out from the chassis and then set it on an antistatic surface.

Figure 18: CPU Module Front

CPU module fault LED3Ejector levers (two each CPU module)1

-CPU module power status LED2

Step 3 If you are moving CPUs from the old CPU module to the new CPU module, see Moving an M5 Generation CPU, on

page 103.

Step 4 If you are moving DIMMs from the old CPU module to the new CPU module, perform the following steps:

a) Open the ejector lever at each end of the DIMM slot and pick the DIMM straight up from the old CPU module board.
b) On the new CPU module board, align the new DIMM with an empty slot. Use the alignment feature in the DIMM

slot to correctly orient the DIMM.

c) Push down evenly on the top corners of the DIMM until it is fully seated and the ejector levers on both ends lock

into place.

Step 5 Install a new CPU module to the chassis:

a) With the two ejector levers open, align the new CPU module with an empty bay.
b) Push the module into the bay until it engages with the midplane connectors and is flush with the chassis front.
c) Rotate both ejector levers toward the center until they lay flat and their latches lock into the front of the module.

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Maintaining the Server

Replacing Front-Loading SAS/SATA Drives

Step 6 Reconnect power cords to all power supplies and then allow the server to boot to standby power mode (indicated when

the front panel Power button LED lights amber).

Step 7 Fully power on the server by pressing the Power button.

Note

Verify that the power LED on the front of the CPU module returns to solid green.

Replacing Front-Loading SAS/SATA Drives

Note

Front-Loading SAS/SATA Drive Population Guidelines

You do not have to shut down the server or drive to replace SAS/SATA hard drives or SSDs because they
are hot-swappable.

The front drives in the server are installed into three removable drive bay modules.

Figure 19: Drive Bay Numbering

• SAS/SATA/NVMe drive bay modules (UCSC-C480-8HDD):

• Left drive bay module: Bays 1, 2, 7, 8 support SAS/SATA or NVMe drives; bays 3, 4, 5, 6 support
SAS/SATA drives only.

Note

• Center drive bay module: Bays 9, 10, 15, 16 support SAS/SATA or NVMe drives; bays 11, 12, 13,
14 support SAS/SATA drives only.

• Right bay module: Bays 17, 18, 23, 24 support SAS/SATA or NVMe drives; bays 19, 20, 21, 22
support SAS/SATA drives only.

Front NVMe drives are not supported in a system with only one CPU module.

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4K Sector Format SAS/SATA Drives Considerations

Observe these drive population guidelines for optimum performance:

• When populating drives, add drives to the lowest-numbered bays first.

• Keep an empty drive blanking tray in any unused bays to ensure proper airflow.

• You can mix SAS/SATA hard drives and SAS/SATA SSDs in the same server. However, you cannot
configure a logical volume (virtual drive) that contains a mix of hard drives and SSDs. That is, when
you create a logical volume, it must contain all SAS/SATA hard drives or all SAS/SATA SSDs.

4K Sector Format SAS/SATA Drives Considerations

• You must boot 4K sector format drives in UEFI mode, not legacy mode. See the procedures in this
section.

• Do not configure 4K sector format and 512-byte sector format drives as part of the same RAID volume.

• Operating system support on 4K sector drives is as follows: Windows: Win2012 and Win2012R2; Linux:
RHEL 6.5, 6.6, 6.7, 7.0, 7.2; SLES 11 SP3, and SLES 12. ESXi/Vmware is not supported.

Maintaining the Server

Procedure

PurposeCommand or Action

Step 1

Setting Up UEFI Mode Booting in the BIOS Setup Utility

Step 1 Enter the BIOS setup utility by pressing the F2 key when prompted during bootup.

Step 2 Go to the Boot Options tab.

Step 3 Set UEFI Boot Options to Enabled.

Step 4 Under Boot Option Priorities, set your OS installation media (such as a virtual DVD) as your Boot Option #1.

Step 5 Go to the Advanced tab.

Step 6 Select LOM and PCIe Slot Configuration.

Step 7 Set the PCIe Slot ID: HBA Option ROM to UEFI Only.

Step 8 Press F10 to save changes and exit the BIOS setup utility. Allow the server to reboot.

Step 9 After the OS installs, verify the installation:

a) Enter the BIOS setup utility by pressing the F2 key when prompted during bootup.
b) Go to the Boot Options tab.
c) Under Boot Option Priorities, verify that the OS you installed is listed as your Boot Option #1.

Setting Up UEFI Mode Booting in the Cisco IMC GUI

Step 1 Use a web browser and the IP address of the server to log into the Cisco IMC GUI management interface.

Step 2 Navigate to Server > BIOS.

Step 3 Under Actions, click Configure BIOS.

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Maintaining the Server

Replacing a Front-Loading SAS/SATA Drive

Step 4 In the Configure BIOS Parameters dialog, select the Advanced tab.

Step 5 Go to the LOM and PCIe Slot Configuration section.

Step 6 Set the PCIe Slot: HBA Option ROM to UEFI Only.

Step 7 Click Save Changes. The dialog closes.

Step 8 Under BIOS Properties, set Configured Boot Order to UEFI.

Step 9 Under Actions, click Configure Boot Order.

Step 10 In the Configure Boot Order dialog, click Add Local HDD.

Step 11 In the Add Local HDD dialog, enter the information for the 4K sector format drive and make it first in the boot order.

Step 12 Save changes and reboot the server. The changes you made will be visible after the system reboots.

Replacing a Front-Loading SAS/SATA Drive

Note

You do not have to shut down the server or drive to replace SAS/SATA hard drives or SSDs because they
are hot-swappable.

Step 1 Remove the drive that you are replacing or remove a blank drive tray from the bay:

a) Press the release button on the face of the drive tray.
b) Grasp and open the ejector lever and then pull the drive tray out of the slot.
c) If you are replacing an existing drive, remove the four drive-tray screws that secure the drive to the tray and then lift

the drive out of the tray.

Step 2 Install a new drive:

a) Place a new drive in the empty drive tray and install the four drive-tray screws.

Note

When you insert the drive tray in the slot, the LEDs on the drive tray must be on the upper side. The ejector
lever closes upward.

b) With the ejector lever on the drive tray open, insert the drive tray into the empty drive bay.
c) Push the tray into the slot until it touches the backplane, and then close the ejector lever to lock the drive in place.

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Replacing Rear (Internal) SAS/SATA Drives

Figure 20: Replacing a Drive in a Drive Tray

Maintaining the Server

Replacing Rear (Internal) SAS/SATA Drives

Note

You do not have to shut down the server or drive to replace SAS/SATA hard drives or SSDs because they
are hot-swappable.

Rear SAS/SATA Drive Population Guidelines

The server supports an internal, rear drive module that holds up to eight 2.5-inch drives.

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Drive tray screws (two on each side)3Ejector lever1

Drive removed from drive tray4Release button2

Maintaining the Server

Rear SAS/SATA Drive Requirements

• When using SAS/SATA drives, the eight drives must be all SAS/SATA; no mixing with NVMe drives
is allowed.

• When populating drives, add drives to the lowest-numbered bays first.

• Keep an empty drive blanking tray in any unused bays to ensure proper airflow.

• You can mix SAS/SATA hard drives and SAS/SATA SSDs in the cage. However, you cannot configure
a logical volume (virtual drive) that contains a mix of hard drives and SSDs. That is, when you create a
logical volume, it must contain all SAS/SATA hard drives or all SAS/SATA SSDs.

Note

See also 4K Sector Format SAS/SATA Drives Considerations, on page 48.

Figure 21: Internal Drive Module Bays (Top View)

Rear SAS/SATA Drive Requirements

Observe these requirements:

• The optional, rear drive module (UCSC-C480-8HDD).

• The rear drive module requires minimum Cisco IMC and BIOS 3.1(3) or later.

• The rear drive-bay module must have air-diffuser UCSC-DIFF-C480M5 installed when SAS/SATA
drives are installed.

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Replacing a Rear (Internal) SAS/SATA Drive

• For RAID support: RAID controller card (UCSC-SAS9460-8i) installed in PCIe slot 11.

Note

In a system with only one CPU module, this RAID controller must be installed
in PCIe slot 10 and a blank filler is required in slot 11 to ensure adequate air flow.

• For RAID support: RAID cable (CBL-AUX-SAS-M5). This cable connects the rear RAID card to the
drive-bay module.

• For RAID support: Supercap RAID backup unit (UCSC-SCAP-M5). This unit installs to a clip on the
inside of the air diffuser. It cables to the rear RAID controller.

Replacing a Rear (Internal) SAS/SATA Drive

Note

You do not have to shut down the server or drive to replace SAS/SATA hard drives or SSDs because they
are hot-swappable.

Maintaining the Server

Step 1 Prepare the server for component installation:

a) Slide the server out the front of the rack far enough so that you can remove the top cover.

Caution

If you cannot safely view and access the component, remove the server from the rack.

b) Remove the top cover from the server as described in Removing the Server Top Cover, on page 37.

Step 2 Remove the drive that you are replacing or remove a blank drive tray from the bay:

a) Press the release button on the face of the drive tray.
b) Grasp and open the ejector lever and then pull the drive tray up out of the bay.
c) If you are replacing an existing drive, remove the four drive-tray screws that secure the drive to the tray and then lift

the drive out of the tray.

Step 3 Install a new drive:

a) Place a new drive in the empty drive tray and install the four drive-tray screws.
b) With the ejector lever on the drive tray open, insert the drive tray into the empty drive bay.
c) Push the tray into the slot until it touches the backplane, and then close the ejector lever to lock the drive in place.

Step 4 Replace the top cover to the server.

Step 5 Reconnect power cords to all power supplies and then allow the server to boot to standby power mode (indicated when

the front panel Power button LED lights amber).

Step 6 Fully power on the server by pressing the Power button.

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Maintaining the Server

Figure 22: Replacing a Drive in a Drive Tray

Replacing Front-Loading NVMe SSDs

Replacing Front-Loading NVMe SSDs

Note

Note

OS-informed hot-insertion and hot-removal must be enabled in the system BIOS. See Enabling Hot-Plug

Support in the System BIOS, on page 55.

OS-surprise removal is not supported. OS-informed hot-insertion and hot-removal are supported on all
supported operating systems except VMware ESXi.

Drive tray screws (two on each side)3Ejector lever1

Drive removed from drive tray4Release button2

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Front-Loading NVMe SSD Population Guidelines

This section is for replacing 2.5-inch form-factor NVMe solid-state drives (SSDs) in front-panel drive bays.

Front-Loading NVMe SSD Population Guidelines

The front drive bay support for 2.5-inch NVMe SSDs differs, depending on what type of drive bay module
is installed (NVMe-only or SAS/SATA/NVMe), and the number of CPU modules in the system:

Figure 23: Drive Bay Numbering

Maintaining the Server

Note

Front NVMe drives are not supported in a single CPU-module system. Front NVMe support requires two
CPU modules in the system.

There are two types of front drive bay modules that support NVMe drives:

Note

You cannot mix front drive module types in the same system.

• UCSC-C480-8HDD: SAS/SATA/NVMe drive bay modules that support up to four NVMe drives each:

• Left drive-bay module: Bays 1, 2, 7, 8 support SAS/SATA or NVMe drives; bays 3, 4, 5, 6 support
SAS/SATA drives only.

Front NVMe drives are not supported in a single-CPU module system.

• Center drive-bay module: Bays 9, 10, 15, 16 support SAS/SATA or NVMe drives; bays 11, 12, 13,
14 support SAS/SATA drives only.

Front NVMe drives are not supported in a single-CPU module system.

• Right drive-bay module: Bays 17, 18, 23, 24 support SAS/SATA or NVMe drives; bays 19, 20, 21,
22 support SAS/SATA drives only.

Front NVMe drives are not supported in a single-CPU module system.

• UCSC-C480-8NVME: NVMe-only drive bay modules. All eight bays support only NVMe drives.

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Maintaining the Server

In a single CPU-module system, this NVMe-only module is not supported.

Observe these drive population guidelines for optimum performance:

• When populating drives, add drives to the lowest-numbered bays first.

• Keep an empty blanking tray in any unused bays to ensure proper airflow.

Front-Loading NVME SSD Requirements and Restrictions

Observe these requirements:

• Hot-plug support must be enabled in the system BIOS. If you ordered the system with NVMe drives,
hot-plug support is enabled at the factory. See Enabling Hot-Plug Support in the System BIOS, on page

55.

Observe these restrictions:

• NVMe 2.5-inch SSDs support booting only in UEFI mode. Legacy boot is not supported. For instructions
on setting up UEFI boot, see Setting Up UEFI Mode Booting in the BIOS Setup Utility, on page 48 or

Setting Up UEFI Mode Booting in the Cisco IMC GUI, on page 48.

Front-Loading NVME SSD Requirements and Restrictions

• You cannot control NVMe PCIe SSDs with a SAS RAID controller because NVMe SSDs interface with
the server via the PCIe bus.

• You can combine NVMe 2.5-inch SSDs and HHHL form-factor SSDs in the same system, but the same
partner brand must be used. For example, two Intel NVMe SFF 2.5-inch SSDs and two HGST HHHL
form-factor SSDs is an invalid configuration. A valid configuration is two HGST NVMe SFF 2.5-inch
SSDs and two HGST HHHL form-factor SSDs.

• UEFI boot is supported in all supported operating systems. Hot-insertion and hot-removal are supported
in all supported operating systems except VMWare ESXi.

Enabling Hot-Plug Support in the System BIOS

Hot-plug (OS-informed hot-insertion and hot-removal) is disabled in the system BIOS by default.

• If the system was ordered with NVMe PCIe SSDs, the setting was enabled at the factory. No action is
required.

• If you are adding NVMe PCIe SSDs after-factory, you must enable hot-plug support in the BIOS. See
the following procedures.

Procedure

Step 1

PurposeCommand or Action

Enabling Hot-Plug Support Using the BIOS Setup Utility

Step 1 Enter the BIOS setup utility by pressing the F2 key when prompted during bootup.

Step 2 Navigate to Advanced > PCI Subsystem Settings > NVMe SSD Hot-Plug Support.

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Enabling Hot-Plug Support Using the Cisco IMC GUI

Step 3 Set the value to Enabled.

Step 4 Save your changes and exit the utility.

Enabling Hot-Plug Support Using the Cisco IMC GUI

Step 1 Use a browser to log in to the Cisco IMC GUI for the server.

Step 2 Navigate to Compute > BIOS > Advanced > PCI Configuration.

Step 3 Set NVME SSD Hot-Plug Support to Enabled.

Step 4 Save your changes.

Replacing a Front-Loading NVMe SSD

This topic describes how to replace 2.5-inch form-factor NVMe SSDs in the front-panel drive bays.

Maintaining the Server

Note

OS-surprise removal is not supported. OS-informed hot-insertion and hot-removal are supported on all
supported operating systems except VMware ESXi.

Note

OS-informed hot-insertion and hot-removal must be enabled in the system BIOS. See Enabling Hot-Plug

Support in the System BIOS, on page 55.

Step 1 Remove an existing front-loading NVMe SSD:

a) Shut down the NVMe SSD to initiate an OS-informed removal. Use your operating system interface to shut down

the drive, and then observe the drive-tray LED:

• Green—The drive is in use and functioning properly. Do not remove.

• Green, blinking—the driver is unloading following a shutdown command. Do not remove.

• Off—The drive is not in use and can be safely removed.

b) Press the release button on the face of the drive tray.
c) Grasp and open the ejector lever and then pull the drive tray out of the slot.
d) Remove the four drive tray screws that secure the SSD to the tray and then lift the SSD out of the tray.

Step 2 Install a new front-loading NVMe SSD:

a) Place a new SSD in the empty drive tray and install the four drive-tray screws.

Note

When you insert the drive tray in the slot, the LEDs on the drive tray must be on the upper side. The ejector
lever closes upward.

b) With the ejector lever on the drive tray open, insert the drive tray into the empty drive bay.
c) Push the tray into the slot until it touches the backplane, and then close the ejector lever to lock the drive in place.

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Maintaining the Server

Replacing a Front-Loading NVMe SSD

Step 3 Observe the drive-tray LED and wait until it returns to solid green before accessing the drive:

• Off—The drive is not in use.

• Green, blinking—the driver is initializing following hot-plug insertion.

• Green—The drive is in use and functioning properly.

Figure 24: Replacing a Drive in a Drive Tray

Drive tray screws (two on each side)3Ejector lever1

Drive removed from drive tray4Release button2

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Replacing Rear NVMe SSDs

Replacing Rear NVMe SSDs

Note

OS-surprise removal is not supported. OS-informed hot-insertion and hot-removal are supported on all
supported operating systems except VMware ESXi.

Note

OS-informed hot-insertion and hot-removal must be enabled in the system BIOS. See Enabling Hot-Plug

Support in the System BIOS, on page 55.

This section is for replacing 2.5-inch form-factor NVMe solid-state drives (SSDs) in the internal, rear drive-bay
module.

Rear NVMe SSD Population Guidelines

The server supports an rear, internal drive-bay module that holds up to eight 2.5-inch drives.

Maintaining the Server

• When using NVMe drives, the eight drives must be all NVMe; no mixing with SAS/SATA drives is
allowed.

• When populating drives, add drives to the lowest-numbered bays first.

• Keep an empty drive blanking tray in any unused bays to ensure proper airflow.

Figure 25: Internal Drive Module Bays (Top View)

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Maintaining the Server

Rear NVMe SSD Requirements and Restrictions

Observe these requirements:

• The optional, rear drive-bay module. When using NVMe drives, the eight drives must be all NVMe; no
mixing with SAS/SATA drives is allowed.

• NVMe switch card (UCSC-NVME-SC). This card must be installed in PCIe slot 10.

• NVMe cable (CBL-AUX-NVME-M5). This cable connects the NVMe switch card to the module
backplane.

• Hot-plug support must be enabled in the system BIOS. If you ordered the system with NVMe drives,
hot-plug support is enabled at the factory.

Observe these restrictions:

• NVMe SSDs support booting only in UEFI mode. Legacy boot is not supported. For instructions on
setting up UEFI boot, see Setting Up UEFI Mode Booting in the BIOS Setup Utility, on page 48 or

Setting Up UEFI Mode Booting in the Cisco IMC GUI, on page 48.

• You cannot control NVMe PCIe SSDs with a SAS RAID controller because NVMe SSDs interface with
the server via the PCIe bus.

Rear NVMe SSD Requirements and Restrictions

• You can combine NVMe 2.5-inch SSDs and HHHL form-factor SSDs in the same system, but the same
partner brand must be used. For example, two Intel NVMe SFF 2.5-inch SSDs and two HGST HHHL
form-factor SSDs is an invalid configuration. A valid configuration is two HGST NVMe SFF 2.5-inch
SSDs and two HGST HHHL form-factor SSDs.

• UEFI boot is supported in all supported operating systems. Hot-insertion and hot-removal are supported
in all supported operating systems except VMWare ESXi.

Replacing a Rear (Internal) NVMe Drive

This topic describes how to replace 2.5-inch form-factor NVMe SSDs in the internal drive bays. You do not
have to shut down the server, but you must shut down the NVMe drive before removal to avoid data loss.

Note

Note

OS-surprise removal is not supported. OS-informed hot-insertion and hot-removal are supported on all
supported operating systems except VMware ESXi.

OS-informed hot-insertion and hot-removal must be enabled in the system BIOS. See Enabling Hot-Plug

Support in the System BIOS, on page 55.

Step 1 Prepare the server for component installation:

a) Slide the server out the front of the rack far enough so that you can remove the top cover.

Caution

If you cannot safely view and access the component, remove the server from the rack.

b) Remove the top cover from the server as described in Removing the Server Top Cover, on page 37.

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Replacing a Rear (Internal) NVMe Drive

Step 2 Remove the drive that you are replacing or remove a blank drive tray from the bay:

a) Shut down the NVMe SSD to initiate an OS-informed removal. Use your operating system interface to shut down

the drive, and then observe the drive-tray LED:

• Green—The drive is in use and functioning properly. Do not remove.

• Green, blinking—the driver is unloading following a shutdown command. Do not remove.

• Off—The drive is not in use and can be safely removed.

b) Press the release button on the face of the drive tray.
c) Grasp and open the ejector lever and then pull the drive tray up out of the bay.
d) If you are replacing an existing drive, remove the four drive-tray screws that secure the drive to the tray and then lift

the drive out of the tray.

Step 3 Install a new drive:

a) Place a new drive in the empty drive tray and install the four drive-tray screws.
b) With the ejector lever on the drive tray open, insert the drive tray into the empty drive bay.
c) Push the tray into the slot until it touches the backplane, and then close the ejector lever to lock the drive in place.

Maintaining the Server

Step 4 Observe the drive-tray LED and wait until it returns to solid green before accessing the drive:

• Off—The drive is not in use.

• Green, blinking—the driver is initializing following hot-plug insertion.

• Green—The drive is in use and functioning properly.

Step 5 Replace the top cover to the server.

Step 6 Reconnect power cords to all power supplies and then allow the server to boot to standby power mode (indicated when

the front panel Power button LED lights amber).

Step 7 Fully power on the server by pressing the Power button.

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Maintaining the Server

Figure 26: Replacing a Drive in a Drive Tray

Replacing HHHL Form-Factor NVMe Solid State Drives

Drive tray screws (two on each side)3Ejector lever1

Drive removed from drive tray4Release button2

Replacing HHHL Form-Factor NVMe Solid State Drives

This section is for replacing half-height, half-length (HHHL) form-factor NVMe SSDs in the PCIe slots.

HHHL SSD Population Guidelines

Observe the following population guidelines when installing HHHL form-factor NVMe SSDs:

• Dual CPU-Module systems—You can populate up to 12 HHHL form-factor SSDs, using PCIe slots 1 –

12.

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HHHL Form-Factor NVME SSD Restrictions

Note

• Single CPU-Module systems—In a single CPU-module system (CPU module 2 is not present), PCIe
slots 3, 4, 6, 7, 11, and 12 are not available. Therefore, the maximum number of HHHL form-factor SSDs
you can populate is 6, using only PCIe slots 1, 2, 5, 8, 9, and 10.

Maintaining the Server

Other installed components affect how many PCIe slots are open to use. For
example:

• If the auxiliary, internal drive module is installed, PCIe slot 12 is not available
because of internal clearance.

• If the server has a rear RAID controller card, it must be installed in PCIe
slot 11 (or slot 10 in single CPU-module systems).

• If the server has a rear NVMe switch card, it must be installed in PCIe slot

10.

PCIe Slots SupportedNumber of CPU Modules

HHHL Form-Factor NVME SSD Restrictions

Observe these restrictions:

• You cannot boot from an HHHL form-factor NVMe SSD.

• You cannot control HHHL NVMe SSDs with a SAS RAID controller because NVMe SSDs interface
with the server via the PCIe bus.

• You can combine NVMe SFF 2.5- or 3.5-inch SSDs and HHHL form-factor SSDs in the same system,
but the same partner brand must be used. For example, two Intel NVMe SFF 2.5-inch SSDs and two
HGST HHHL form-factor SSDs is an invalid configuration. A valid configuration is two HGST NVMe
SFF 2.5-inch SSDs and two HGST HHHL form-factor SSDs.

Replacing HHHL NVMe Drives

Step 1 Prepare the server for component installation:

a) Shut down and remove power from the server as described in Shutting Down and Removing Power From the Server,

on page 35.

b) Slide the server out the front of the rack far enough so that you can remove the top cover. You might have to detach

cables from the rear panel to provide clearance.

1 - 12 (all)Dual CPU-Module System (4 CPUs)

1, 2, 5, 8, 9, 10Single CPU-Module System (2 CPUs)

Caution

If you cannot safely view and access the component, remove the server from the rack.

c) Remove the top cover from the server as described in Removing the Server Top Cover, on page 37.

Step 2 Remove any existing HHHL drive from the slot (or a blanking panel):

a) Open the hinged retainer bar that covers the top of the PCIe slot from which you are removing the HHHL drive.

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Maintaining the Server

Replacing a Front Drive Bay Module

Use your fingertips to pull back on the wire locking-latches at each end of the retainer bar, and then hinge the bar
open to expose the tops of the PCIe slots.

b) Pull both ends of the HHHL drive's card vertically to disengage the card from the socket, and then set it aside.

Step 3 Install a new HHHL drive:

a) Carefully align the HHHL drive's card edge with the PCIe socket.
b) Push on both corners of the card to seat its connector in the socket.
c) Close the hinged retainer bar over the top of the PCIe slots.

Use your fingertips to pull back on the wire locking-latches at each end of the retainer bar, and then hinge it closed
to lock in the tops of the PCIe slots. Push the wire locking-latching back to the forward, locked position.

Step 4 Replace the top cover to the server.

Step 5 Reconnect power cords to all power supplies and then allow the server to boot to standby power mode (indicated when

the front panel Power button LED lights amber).

Step 6 Fully power on the server by pressing the Power button.

Figure 27: PCIe Slot Hinged Retainer Bars

1

(slots 10 - 12)

Replacing a Front Drive Bay Module

The front drive bays are divided across three removable drive bay modules that have eight bays each. There
are two types of drive bay modules:

• SAS/SATA and NVMe (UCSC-C480-8HDD)

2Wire locking latches for left PCIe retainer bar

Wire locking latches for right PCIe retainer bar
(slots 1 - 9)

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Maintaining the Server

Replacing a Front Drive Bay Module

• NVMe only (UCSC-C480-8NVME)

Note

Mixing these two module types in the same chassis is not supported.

Step 1 Shut down and remove power from the server as described in Shutting Down and Removing Power From the Server,

on page 35.

Step 2 Slide the server out the front of the rack far enough so that you can remove the top cover. You might have to detach

cables from the rear panel to provide clearance.

Caution

If you cannot safely view and access the component, remove the server from the rack.

Step 3 Remove the top cover from the server as described in Removing the Server Top Cover, on page 37.

Step 4 Remove all CPU modules from the chassis to provide clearance:

a) Grasp the two ejector levers on the module and pinch their latches to release the levers.
b) Rotate both levers to the outside at the same time to evenly disengage the module from the midplane connectors.
c) Pull the module straight out from the chassis and then set it on an antistatic surface.

Step 5 Remove an existing drive bay module:

a) Remove any drives from the existing module and set them aside.
b) From the top of the chassis, loosen the single captive screw that secures the module to the chassis brace.
c) Disconnect any SAS cables from the rear of the module.
d) Push the module out the front of the chassis.
e) Pull the module and its attached interposer board out the front of the chassis and then set it aside.

Step 6 Install a new drive module:

a) Insert the new module with attached interposer into the opening in the chassis front.
b) Gently slide the module into the opening, ensuring that the connector on the end of the interposer board engages

with the socket on the chassis midplane. Press until the front edges of the module align evenly with the chassis.

c) Tighten the single captive screw that secures the module to the chassis brace.

Step 7 Connect any SAS cables that you disconnected earlier to the new drive module.

Step 8 Install your drives to the bays in the module.

Step 9 Reinstall the CPU modules to the chassis:

a) With the two ejector levers open, align the new CPU module with an empty bay.
b) Push the module into the bay until it engages with the midplane connectors and is flush with the chassis front.
c) Rotate both ejector levers toward the center until they lay flat and their latches lock into the front of the module.

Step 10 Replace the top cover to the server.

Step 11 Reconnect power cords to all power supplies and then allow the server to boot to standby power mode (indicated when

the front panel Power button LED lights amber).

Step 12 Fully power on the server by pressing the Power button.

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Maintaining the Server

Figure 28: Front Drive-Bay Module Securing Screws (CPU Modules Removed)

Replacing a Front Drive Bay Module

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Replacing a Front RAID Controller Card

Maintaining the Server

1

shown with both CPU modules removed)

Chassis brace2

Replacing a Front RAID Controller Card

For detailed information about storage controllers in this server, see Supported Storage Controllers and Cables,

on page 133.

The server supports one front RAID controller card for control of up to 24 front-loading SAS/SATA drives.
The card installs to a dedicated, horizontal socket on the chassis midplane. The socket is below the CPU
modules and can be accessed from the top of the server after the CPU modules are removed.

Firmware on the storage controller must be verified for compatibility with the current Cisco IMC and BIOS
versions that are installed on the server. If not compatible, upgrade or downgrade the storage controller
firmware using the Host Upgrade Utility (HUU) for your firmware release to bring it to a compatible level.

See the HUU guide for your Cisco IMC release for instructions on downloading and using the utility to bring
server components to compatible levels: HUU Guides.

Step 1 Prepare the server for component installation:

a) Shut down and remove power from the server as described in Shutting Down and Removing Power From the Server,

on page 35.

b) Slide the server out the front of the rack far enough so that you can remove the top cover. You might have to detach

cables from the rear panel to provide clearance.

3Front of server (view of front compartment

Thumbscrews that secure drive bay modules
(one each module)

Caution

If you cannot safely view and access the component, remove the server from the rack.

c) Remove the top cover from the server as described in Removing the Server Top Cover, on page 37.

Step 2 Remove all CPU modules from the chassis to provide clearance:

a) Grasp the two ejector levers on the module and pinch their latches to release the levers.
b) Rotate both levers to the outside at the same time to evenly disengage the module from the midplane connectors.
c) Pull the module straight out from the chassis and then set it on an antistatic surface.

Step 3 Remove any existing front RAID controller card from the server:

a) Disconnect any SAS and supercap cables from the existing card.
b) Remove the metal retainer plate that secures the front edge of the RAID card. Loosen its two captive screws and then

lift the plate out of the chassis and set it aside.
c) Open the card's ejector lever to unseat it from the horizontal socket on the midplane.
d) Pull both ends of the card horizontally to disengage the card from the socket, and then set it aside.

Step 4 Install a new front RAID controller card:

a) Carefully align the card edge with the dedicated horizontal socket on the midplane.
b) Push on both corners of the card to seat its connector in the socket.
c) Fully close the ejector lever on the card to lock the card into the socket.
d) Reinstall the metal retainer plate. Align it over the two threaded standoffs, and then tighten both captive screws.
e) Reconnect any SAS and supercap cables to the new card.

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Maintaining the Server

Replacing a Front RAID Controller Card

Card connectors A1-A2 connect to SAS drive bay 1; card connectors B1-B2 connect to SAS drive bay 2; card
connectors C1-C2 connect to SAS drive bay 3.

Step 5 Reinstall the CPU modules to the chassis:

a) With the two ejector levers open, align the new CPU module with an empty bay.
b) Push the module into the bay until it engages with the midplane connectors and is flush with the chassis front.
c) Rotate both ejector levers toward the center until they lay flat and their latches lock into the front of the module.

Step 6 Replace the top cover to the server.

Step 7 Reconnect power cords to all power supplies and then allow the server to boot to standby power mode (indicated when

the front panel Power button LED lights amber).

Step 8 Fully power on the server by pressing the Power button.

Step 9 If your server is running in standalone mode, use the Cisco UCS Host Upgrade Utility to update the controller firmware

and program the correct suboem-id for the controller.

Note

For servers running in standalone mode only: After you replace front controller hardware
(UCSC-RAID-M5HD), you must run the Cisco UCS Host Upgrade Utility (HUU) to update the controller
firmware, even if the firmware Current Version is the same as the Update Version. This is necessary to program
the controller's suboem-id to the correct value for the server SKU. If you do not do this, drive enumeration
might not display correctly in the software. This issue does not affect servers controlled in UCSM mode.

See the HUU guide for your Cisco IMC release for instructions on downloading and using the utility to bring
server components to compatible levels: HUU Guides.

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Replacing the Front RAID Supercap Unit

Figure 29: Front RAID Controller Card Location (CPU Modules removed)

Maintaining the Server

1

horizontal socket (view of the front
compartment shown with the CPU modules
removed)

Metal retainer plate securing screws2

Replacing the Front RAID Supercap Unit

This server supports installation of up to two supercap units, one for a front RAID controller and one for a
rear RAID controller. The front supercap unit mounts to a bracket on the inner chassis wall, below the CPU
modules.

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Card ejector lever (magnified view)3Location of front RAID card in dedicated

Maintaining the Server

Replacing the Front RAID Supercap Unit

The supercap provides approximately three years of backup for the disk write-back cache DRAM in the case
of a sudden power loss by offloading the cache to the NAND flash.

Warning

There is danger of explosion if the battery is replaced incorrectly. Replace the battery only with the
same or equivalent type recommended by the manufacturer. Dispose of used batteries according to the
manufacturer’s instructions.

Statement 1015

Step 1 Prepare the server for component installation:

a) Shut down and remove power from the server as described in Shutting Down and Removing Power From the Server,

on page 35.

b) Slide the server out the front of the rack far enough so that you can remove the top cover. You might have to detach

cables from the rear panel to provide clearance.

Caution

If you cannot safely view and access the component, remove the server from the rack.

c) Remove the top cover from the server as described in Removing the Server Top Cover, on page 37.

Step 2 Remove all CPU modules from the chassis to provide clearance:

a) Grasp the two ejector levers on the module and pinch their latches to release the levers.
b) Rotate both levers to the outside at the same time to evenly disengage the module from the midplane connectors.
c) Pull the module straight out from the chassis and then set it on an antistatic surface.

Step 3 Remove an existing supercap unit:

a) Disconnect the supercap cable from the existing supercap.
b) Lift gently on the top securing tab that holds the supercap unit to its bracket.
c) Lift the supercap unit free of the bracket and set it aside.

Step 4 Install a new supercap unit:

a) Lift gently on the top securing tab on the bracket while you set the supercap unit into the bracket. Relax the tab so

that it closes over the top of the supercap.

b) Connect the supercap cable from the RAID controller card to the connector on the new supercap cable.

Step 5 Reinstall the CPU modules to the chassis:

a) With the two ejector levers open, align the new CPU module with an empty bay.
b) Push the module into the bay until it engages with the midplane connectors and is flush with the chassis front.
c) Rotate both ejector levers toward the center until they lay flat and their latches lock into the front of the module.

Step 6 Replace the top cover to the server.

Step 7 Reconnect power cords to all power supplies and then allow the server to boot to standby power mode (indicated when

the front panel Power button LED lights amber).

Step 8 Fully power on the server by pressing the Power button.

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Replacing the Front RAID Supercap Unit

Figure 30: Front Supercap Bracket Location (Below CPU Modules)

Maintaining the Server

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Maintaining the Server

Replacing the Front RAID Supercap Unit

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Replacing a Rear (Internal) Drive-Bay Module

Maintaining the Server

1

-Supercap bracket location on inner chassis

wall (view of the front compartment shown
is with the CPU modules removed)

Replacing a Rear (Internal) Drive-Bay Module

The optional, rear drive-bay module provides eight drive bays.

Note

When the rear drive-bay module is used, PCIe slot 12 is not available because there is not enough clearance.

Note

When the rear drive-bay module is populated with SAS/SATA drives, the air diffuser must be installed.

Step 1 Shut down and remove power from the server as described in Shutting Down and Removing Power From the Server, on

page 35.

Step 2 Slide the server out the front of the rack far enough so that you can remove the top cover. You might have to detach

cables from the rear panel to provide clearance.

Caution

If you cannot safely view and access the component, remove the server from the rack.

Step 3 Remove the top cover from the server as described in Removing the Server Top Cover, on page 37.

Step 4 Remove any existing rear drive-bay module:

a) Remove any drives from the existing rear drive-bay module and set them aside.
b) If the air diffuser is present on the module, remove the diffuser. Lift straight up on the diffuser and set it aside.

It is not necessary to remove the rear supercap unit from the diffuser.

c) Disconnect any cable from a RAID controller or NVMe switch card from the module connectors.
d) Loosen the two screws that secure the module to the chassis.
e) Grasp the module at each end and lift up evenly to disengage its connector from the socket on the motherboard.

Step 5 Install a new rear drive-bay module:

a) While holding the new module level, align it over the socket on the motherboard and the two screw-holes.
b) Gently press the module connector to the motherboard socket. Stop when the module frame sits flat over the

screw-holes.
c) Install the two screws that secure the module to the chassis.
d) Connect any cable from a RAID card or NVMe switch card to the new module backplane.
e) Reinstall the air diffuser to the module if you removed one earlier (required only if the module is populated with

SAS/SATA drives).

Note

In a system with only one CPU module, an additional filler panel is required in PCIe slot 11 to ensure
adequate air flow. See Replacing a Rear RAID Controller Card, on page 77 for more information.

f) Install your drives to the bays in the new module.

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Maintaining the Server

Replacing an Air Diffuser on the Rear Drive Module

Step 6 Replace the top cover to the server.

Step 7 Reconnect power cords to all power supplies and then allow the server to boot to standby power mode (indicated when

the front panel Power button LED lights amber).

Step 8 Fully power on the server by pressing the Power button.

Figure 31: Internal Rear Drive Module

1

Alignment flange on chassis floor4Air diffuser top view

This diffuser is required when SAS/SATA
drivs are installed in the rear drive module.

2

Two drive module securing screws5Diffuser alignment points against the chassis

mid-brace

3

-Rear RAID supercap unit location on the

inside surface of the diffuser

Replacing an Air Diffuser on the Rear Drive Module

The air diffuser UCSC-BAFF-C480-M5 must be installed on the rear drive module when SAS/SATA hard
drives or solid state drives are installed. The diffuser includes a clip for the rear supercap unit on its inside
surface.

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Replacing an Air Diffuser on the Rear Drive Module

Step 1 Prepare the server for component installation:

a) Shut down and remove power from the server as described in Shutting Down and Removing Power From the Server,

on page 35.

b) Slide the server out the front of the rack far enough so that you can remove the top cover. You might have to detach

cables from the rear panel to provide clearance.

Maintaining the Server

Caution

If you cannot safely view and access the component, remove the server from the rack.

c) Remove the top cover from the server as described in Removing the Server Top Cover, on page 37.

Step 2 Remove the air diffuser:

a) Grasp the two top edges of the diffuser and lift straight up to free it from the grooves on the chassis mid-brace.
b) If there is a supercap unit present in the clip on the inside of the diffuser, gently pry the supercap from its clip and

set it aside. Do not disconnect the supercap cable.

Step 3 Install the new air diffuser:

a) Set the supercap unit into the clip on the inside of the air diffuser and push gently until it clicks in place and is secured.
b) Position SAS and supercap cables so that they do not interfere with the diffuser installation. Cables must route out

the rear of the diffuser.
c) Set the air diffuser in place and carefully lower it, using the grooves in the chassis mid-brace as guides. Make sure

that the diffuser alignment flange sits flat on the chassis floor and against PCIe slot 11.

Step 4 Replace the top cover to the server.

Step 5 Reconnect power cords to all power supplies and then allow the server to boot to standby power mode (indicated when

the front panel Power button LED lights amber).

Step 6 Fully power on the server by pressing the Power button.

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Maintaining the Server

Figure 32: Rear Drive Module Air Diffuser

Replacing the Rear RAID Supercap Unit

1

This diffuser is required when SAS/SATA
drivs are installed in the rear drive module.

2

mid-brace

Replacing the Rear RAID Supercap Unit

This server supports installation of up to two supercap units, one for a front RAID controller and one for a
rear RAID controller. The rear supercap unit mounts to a clip on the air diffuser that wraps around the internal
drive module.

The supercap provides approximately three years of backup for the disk write-back cache DRAM in the case
of a sudden power loss by offloading the cache to the NAND flash.

3Air diffuser top view

Rear RAID supercap unit location on the inside
surface of the diffuser

Alignment flange on chassis floor4Diffuser alignment points against the chassis

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Replacing the Rear RAID Supercap Unit

Maintaining the Server

Warning

There is danger of explosion if the battery is replaced incorrectly. Replace the battery only with the
same or equivalent type recommended by the manufacturer. Dispose of used batteries according to the
manufacturer’s instructions.

Statement 1015

Step 1 Prepare the server for component installation:

a) Shut down and remove power from the server as described in Shutting Down and Removing Power From the Server,

on page 35.

b) Slide the server out the front of the rack far enough so that you can remove the top cover. You might have to detach

cables from the rear panel to provide clearance.

Caution

If you cannot safely view and access the component, remove the server from the rack.

c) Remove the top cover from the server as described in Removing the Server Top Cover, on page 37.

Step 2 Remove an existing rear supercap unit:

a) Grasp the two top edges of the air diffuser and lift straight up to free it from the grooves on the chassis mid-brace.
b) Remove the supercap unit from the clip that is on the inside of the air diffuser.
c) Disconnect the supercap cable from the rear RAID controller.

Step 3 Install a new supercap:

a) Set the new supercap unit into the clip on the inside of the air diffuser and push gently until it clicks in place and is

secured.
b) Connect the supercap cable to the rear RAID controller card.
c) Position SAS and supercap cables so that they do not interfere with the diffuser installation. Cables must route out

the rear of the diffuser.
d) Set the air diffuser in place and carefully lower it, using the grooves in the chassis mid-brace as guides. Make sure

that the diffuser alignment flange sits flat on the chassis floor and against PCIe slot 11.

Step 4 Replace the top cover to the server.

Step 5 Reconnect power cords to all power supplies and then allow the server to boot to standby power mode (indicated when

the front panel Power button LED lights amber).

Step 6 Fully power on the server by pressing the Power button.

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Maintaining the Server

Figure 33: Rear Drive Module Air Diffuser and Supercap Unit Location

Replacing a Rear RAID Controller Card

1

This diffuser is required when SAS/SATA
drivs are installed in the rear drive module.

2

mid-brace

Replacing a Rear RAID Controller Card

The server supports one rear RAID controller card for control of up to eight internal SAS/SATA drives in the
optional auxiliary drive module.

Note

The default slot for a rear RAID controller is PCIe slot 11. However, in a single CPU-module system, slot 11
is not supported. In this case, install the rear RAID controller in PCIe slot 10 and install the required blank
filler to PCIe slot 11 to ensure adequate air flow.

For detailed information about storage controllers in this server, see Supported Storage Controllers and Cables,

on page 133.

3Air diffuser top view

Rear RAID supercap unit location on the inside
surface of the diffuser

Alignment flange on chassis floor4Diffuser alignment points against the chassis

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Replacing a Rear RAID Controller Card

Firmware on the storage controller (RAID or HBA) must be verified for compatibility with the current Cisco
IMC and BIOS versions that are installed on the server. If not compatible, upgrade or downgrade the storage
controller firmware using the Host Upgrade Utility (HUU) for your firmware release to bring it to a compatible
level.

See the HUU guide for your Cisco IMC release for instructions on downloading and using the utility to bring
server components to compatible levels: HUU Guides.

Step 1 Prepare the server for component installation:

a) Shut down and remove power from the server as described in Shutting Down and Removing Power From the Server,

on page 35.

b) Slide the server out the front of the rack far enough so that you can remove the top cover. You might have to detach

cables from the rear panel to provide clearance.

Maintaining the Server

Caution

If you cannot safely view and access the component, remove the server from the rack.

c) Remove the top cover from the server as described in Removing the Server Top Cover, on page 37.

Step 2 Remove an existing rear RAID card:

a) Disconnect the SAS and supercap cables from the existing card.
b) Open the hinged retainer bar that covers the top of PCIe slot 11 or 10.

Use your fingertips to pull back on the wire locking-latches at each end of the retainer bar, and then hinge the bar

open to expose the tops of the PCIe slots. See Replacing a PCIe Card, on page 91.

c) Open the card's blue ejector lever to unseat it from the slot.
d) Pull both ends of the card vertically to disengage the card from the socket, and then set it aside.

Step 3 Install a new rear RAID controller card:

a) Carefully align the card edge with the socket of PCIe slot 11 (or 10 in a single CPU module system).
b) Push on both corners of the card to seat its connector in the socket.
c) Fully close the blue ejector lever on the card to lock the card into the socket.
d) Connect SAS cable (CBL-AUX-SAS-M5) and the supercap cable to the new card.
e) Close the hinged retainer bar over the top of the PCIe slots.

Use your fingertips to pull back on the wire locking-latches at each end of the retainer bar, and then hinge it closed

to lock in the tops of the PCIe slots. Push the wire locking-latching back to the forward, locked position.

Step 4 Replace the top cover to the server.

Step 5 Reconnect power cords to all power supplies and then allow the server to boot to standby power mode (indicated when

the front panel Power button LED lights amber).

Step 6 Fully power on the server by pressing the Power button.

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Figure 34: Rear RAID Card and PCIe Slot 11 Filler (Single CPU Module System Shown)

Replacing a Rear NVMe Switch Card

1

controller card)

In this view, a blank filler is installed in slot

11. This is required only for single CPU
module systems to ensure air flow.

Replacing a Rear NVMe Switch Card

When you install NVMe drives in the rear drive-bay module, you must have an NVMe switch card in PCIe
slot 10. A PCIe cable connects the switch card to the drive-bay module backplane.

Note

Step 1 Prepare the server for component installation:

a) Shut down and remove power from the server as described in Shutting Down and Removing Power From the Server,

on page 35.

b) Slide the server out the front of the rack far enough so that you can remove the top cover. You might have to detach

cables from the rear panel to provide clearance.

If a rear NVMe switch card is used, it must be installed in PCIe slot 10.

2PCIe slot 11 (primary position for a rear RAID

PCIe slot 10, secondary slot for rear RAID
controller

In a single CPU module system slot 11 is not
supported, so the controller must install to slot

10.

Caution

If you cannot safely view and access the component, remove the server from the rack.

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Replacing a Rear NVMe Switch Card

c) Remove the top cover from the server as described in Removing the Server Top Cover, on page 37.

Step 2 Remove any existing rear NVMe switch card from PCIe slot 10:

a) Disconnect the PCIe cable from the existing card.
b) Open the hinged retainer bar that covers the top of PCIe slot 10. See Replacing a PCIe Card, on page 91.

Use your fingertips to pull back on the wire locking-latches at each end of the retainer bar, and then hinge the bar

open to expose the tops of the PCIe slots.

c) Open the card's blue ejector lever to unseat it from PCIe slot 10.
d) Pull both ends of the card vertically to disengage the card from the socket, and then set it aside.

Step 3 Install a new rear NVMe switch card:

a) Carefully align the card edge with the socket of PCIe slot 10.
b) Push on both corners of the card to seat its connector in the socket.
c) Fully close the blue ejector lever on the card to lock the card into the socket.
d) Connect the PCIe cable (CBL-AUX-NVME-M5) from the internal drive module backplane to the new switch card.
e) Close the hinged retainer bar over the top of the PCIe slots.

Use your fingertips to pull back on the wire locking-latches at each end of the retainer bar, and then hinge it closed

to lock in the tops of the PCIe slots. Push the wire locking-latching back to the forward, locked position.

Maintaining the Server

Step 4 Replace the top cover to the server.

Step 5 Reconnect power cords to all power supplies and then allow the server to boot to standby power mode (indicated when

the front panel Power button LED lights amber).

Step 6 Fully power on the server by pressing the Power button.

Figure 35: Rear NVMe Switch Card Location (PCIe 10)

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Replacing Fan Modules

1

10)

Replacing Fan Modules

The four hot-swappable fan modules in the server are numbered as shown in Figure 3: Serviceable Component

Locations Inside the Main Chassis, on page 5. Each fan module contains two fans.

Tip

There is a fault LED on the top of each fan module. This LED lights green when the module is correctly seated
and is operating OK. The LED lights amber when the module has a fault or is not correctly seated.

Caution

Step 1 Remove an existing fan module:

a) Slide the server out the front of the rack far enough so that you can remove the top cover. You might have to detach

cables from the rear panel to provide clearance.

You do not have to shut down or remove power from the server to replace fan modules because they are hot­swappable. However, to maintain proper cooling, do not operate the server for more than one minute with
any fan module removed.

-NVMe switch card in required location (PCIe

Caution

If you cannot safely view and access the component, remove the server from the rack.

b) Remove the top cover from the server as described in Removing the Server Top Cover, on page 37.
c) Grasp and squeeze the fan module release latches on its top. Lift straight up to disengage its connector from the

motherboard.

Step 2 Install a new fan module:

a) Set the new fan module in place. The arrow printed on the top of the fan module should point toward the rear of the

server.
b) Press down gently on the fan module to fully engage it with the connector on the motherboard.
c) Replace the top cover to the server.
d) Replace the server in the rack.

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Replacing an Internal USB Drive

Figure 36: Top View of Fan Module

Maintaining the Server

Replacing an Internal USB Drive

This section includes procedures for installing a USB drive and for enabling or disabling the internal USB
port.

Replacing a USB Drive

The server has one horizontal USB 2.0 socket on the motherboard.

Caution

Step 1 Remove an existing internal USB drive:

a) Shut down and remove power from the server as described in Shutting Down and Removing Power From the Server,

b) Slide the server out the front of the rack far enough so that you can remove the top cover. You might have to detach

We do not recommend that you hot-swap the internal USB drive while the server is powered on because of
the potential for data loss.

on page 35.

cables from the rear panel to provide clearance.

Fan module fault LED2Fan module release latches1

Caution

82

If you cannot safely view and access the component, remove the server from the rack.

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Maintaining the Server

Enabling or Disabling the Internal USB Port

c) Remove the top cover from the server as described in Removing the Server Top Cover, on page 37.
d) Locate the USB socket on the motherboard as shown below, near PCIe slot 12.
e) Grasp the USB drive and pull it horizontally to free it from the socket.

Step 2 Install a new internal USB drive:

a) Align the USB drive with the socket.
b) Push the USB drive horizontally to fully engage it with the socket.
c) Replace the top cover to the server.

Step 3 Reconnect power cords to all power supplies and then allow the server to boot to standby power mode (indicated when

the front panel Power button LED lights amber).

Step 4 Fully power on the server by pressing the Power button.

Figure 37: Internal USB 2.0 Socket Location

1

motherboard

Enabling or Disabling the Internal USB Port

The factory default is that all USB ports on the server are enabled. However, the internal USB port can be
enabled or disabled in the server BIOS.

Step 1 Enter the BIOS Setup Utility by pressing the F2 key when prompted during bootup.

Step 2 Navigate to the Advanced tab.

Step 3 On the Advanced tab, select USB Configuration.

-Location of horizontal USB socket on

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Installing a Trusted Platform Module (TPM)

Step 4 On the USB Configuration page, select USB Ports Configuration.

Step 5 Scroll to USB Port: Internal, press Enter, and then choose either Enabled or Disabled from the dialog box.

Step 6 Press F10 to save and exit the utility.

Installing a Trusted Platform Module (TPM)

The trusted platform module (TPM) is a small circuit board that plugs into a motherboard socket and is then
permanently secured with a one-way screw.

TPM Considerations

• This server supports either TPM version 1.2 or TPM version 2.0.

• Field replacement of a TPM is not supported; you can install a TPM after-factory only if the server does
not already have a TPM installed.

• If there is an existing TPM 1.2 installed in the server, you cannot upgrade to TPM 2.0. If there is no
existing TPM in the server, you can install TPM 2.0.

• If the TPM 2.0 becomes unresponsive, reboot the server.

Installing and Enabling a TPM

Note

Field replacement of a TPM is not supported; you can install a TPM after-factory only if the server does not
already have a TPM installed.

This topic contains the following procedures, which must be followed in this order when installing and enabling
a TPM:

1. Installing the TPM Hardware

2. Enabling the TPM in the BIOS

3. Enabling the Intel TXT Feature in the BIOS

Installing TPM Hardware

Note

For security purposes, the TPM is installed with a one-way screw. It cannot be removed with a standard
screwdriver.

Step 1 Prepare the server for component installation:

a) Shut down and remove power from the server as described in Shutting Down and Removing Power From the Server,

on page 35.

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b) Slide the server out the front of the rack far enough so that you can remove the top cover. You might have to detach

cables from the rear panel to provide clearance.

Enabling the TPM in the BIOS

Caution

If you cannot safely view and access the component, remove the server from the rack.

c) Remove the top cover from the server as described in Removing the Server Top Cover, on page 37.

Step 2 Install a TPM:

a) Locate the TPM socket on the motherboard, as shown below.
b) Align the connector that is on the bottom of the TPM circuit board with the motherboard TPM socket. Align the

screw hole on the TPM board with the screw hole that is adjacent to the TPM socket.
c) Push down evenly on the TPM to seat it in the motherboard socket.
d) Install the single one-way screw that secures the TPM to the motherboard.

Step 3 Replace the cover to the server.

Step 4 Reconnect power cords to all power supplies and then allow the server to boot to standby power mode (indicated when

the front panel Power button LED lights amber).

Step 5 Fully power on the server by pressing the Power button.

Step 6 Continue with Enabling the TPM in the BIOS, on page 85.

Figure 38: TPM Socket Location

Enabling the TPM in the BIOS

After hardware installation, you must enable TPM support in the BIOS.

-TPM socket location on motherboard1

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Enabling the Intel TXT Feature in the BIOS

Note

You must set a BIOS Administrator password before performing this procedure. To set this password, press
the F2 key when prompted during system boot to enter the BIOS Setup utility. Then navigate to Security >
Set Administrator Password and enter the new password twice as prompted.

Step 1 Enable TPM Support:

a) Watch during bootup for the F2 prompt, and then press F2 to enter BIOS setup.
b) Log in to the BIOS Setup Utility with your BIOS Administrator password.
c) On the BIOS Setup Utility window, choose the Advanced tab.
d) Choose Trusted Computing to open the TPM Security Device Configuration window.
e) Change TPM SUPPORT to Enabled.
f) Press F10 to save your settings and reboot the server.

Step 2 Verify that TPM support is now enabled:

a) Watch during bootup for the F2 prompt, and then press F2 to enter BIOS setup.
b) Log into the BIOS Setup utility with your BIOS Administrator password.
c) Choose the Advanced tab.
d) Choose Trusted Computing to open the TPM Security Device Configuration window.
e) Verify that TPM SUPPORT and TPM State are Enabled.

Maintaining the Server

Step 3 Continue with Enabling the Intel TXT Feature in the BIOS, on page 86.

Enabling the Intel TXT Feature in the BIOS

Intel Trusted Execution Technology (TXT) provides greater protection for information that is used and stored
on the business server. A key aspect of that protection is the provision of an isolated execution environment
and associated sections of memory where operations can be conducted on sensitive data, invisibly to the rest
of the system. Intel TXT provides for a sealed portion of storage where sensitive data such as encryption keys
can be kept, helping to shield them from being compromised during an attack by malicious code.

Step 1 Reboot the server and watch for the prompt to press F2.

Step 2 When prompted, press F2 to enter the BIOS Setup utility.

Step 3 Verify that the prerequisite BIOS values are enabled:

a) Choose the Advanced tab.
b) Choose Intel TXT(LT-SX) Configuration to open the Intel TXT(LT-SX) Hardware Support window.
c) Verify that the following items are listed as Enabled:

• VT-d Support (default is Enabled)

• VT Support (default is Enabled)

• TPM Support

• TPM State

d) Do one of the following:

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• If VT-d Support and VT Support are already enabled, skip to step 4.

• If VT-d Support and VT Support are not enabled, continue with the next steps to enable them.

e) Press Escape to return to the BIOS Setup utility Advanced tab.
f) On the Advanced tab, choose Processor Configuration to open the Processor Configuration window.
g) Set Intel (R) VT and Intel (R) VT-d to Enabled.

Step 4 Enable the Intel Trusted Execution Technology (TXT) feature:

a) Return to the Intel TXT(LT-SX) Hardware Support window if you are not already there.
b) Set TXT Support to Enabled.

Step 5 Press F10 to save your changes and exit the BIOS Setup utility.

Replacing a Chassis Intrusion Switch

The chassis intrusion switch in an optional security feature that logs an event in the system event log (SEL)
whenever the cover is removed from the chassis.

Replacing a Chassis Intrusion Switch

Step 1 Prepare the server for component installation:

a) Shut down and remove power from the server as described in Shutting Down and Removing Power From the Server,

on page 35.

b) Slide the server out the front of the rack far enough so that you can remove the top cover. You might have to detach

cables from the rear panel to provide clearance.

Caution

If you cannot safely view and access the component, remove the server from the rack.

c) Remove the top cover from the server as described in Removing the Server Top Cover, on page 37.

Step 2 Remove an existing intrusion switch:

a) Disconnect the intrusion switch cable from the socket on the motherboard.
b) Use a #1 Phillips-head screwdriver to loosen and remove the single screw that holds the switch mechanism to the

chassis wall.
c) Slide the switch mechanism straight up to disengage it from the clips on the chassis.

Step 3 Install a new intrusion switch:

a) Slide the switch mechanism down into the clips on the chassis wall so that the screwholes line up.
b) Use a #1 Phillips-head screwdriver to install the single screw that secures the switch mechanism to the chassis wall.
c) Connect the switch cable to the socket on the motherboard.

Step 4 Replace the cover to the server.

Step 5 Reconnect power cords to all power supplies and then allow the server to boot to standby power mode (indicated when

the front panel Power button LED lights amber).

Step 6 Fully power on the server by pressing the Power button.

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Replacing Power Supplies

Figure 39: Chassis Intrusion Switch

Maintaining the Server

Replacing Power Supplies

The server requires four power supplies. When four power supplies are installed they are redundant as 2+2
by default. You can change this to 3+1 redundancy in the system BIOS.

Note

The power supplies are hot-swappable and are accessible from the external rear of the server, so you do not
have to pull the server out from the rack or remove the server cover.

• See also Power Specifications, on page 128 for more information about the supported power supplies.

• See also Rear-Panel LEDs, on page 32 for information about the power supply LEDs.

Replacing AC Power Supplies

Note

Do not mix power supply types or wattages in the server. All power supplies must be identical.

-Intrusion switch location1

Step 1 Remove the power supply that you are replacing or a blank panel from an empty bay:

a) Remove the power cord from the power supply that you are replacing.

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b) Grasp the power supply handle while pinching the release latch toward the handle.
c) Pull the power supply out of the bay.

Step 2 Install a new power supply:

a) Grasp the power supply handle and insert the new power supply into the empty bay.
b) Push the power supply into the bay until the release lever locks.
c) Connect the power cord to the new power supply.

Figure 40: AC Power Supplies

Replacing a PCIe Card

Replacing a PCIe Card

Note

PCIe Slot Specifications and Restrictions

Cisco supports all PCIe cards qualified and sold by Cisco. PCIe cards not qualified or sold by Cisco are the
responsibility of the customer. Although Cisco will always stand behind and support the C-Series rack-mount
servers, customers using standard, off-the-shelf, third-party cards must go to the third-party card vendor for
support if any issue with that particular card occurs.

The server provides 12 PCIe slots for vertical installation of up to 12 PCIe expansion cards.

The following figure shows a top view of the PCIe sockets and the corresponding PCIe slot openings in the
rear panel. Some rear-panel openings are not used at this time.

Power supply handle3Power supply status LED1

-Power supply release latch2

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PCIe Slot Specifications and Restrictions

Figure 41: PCIe Slot Numbering

Maintaining the Server

PCIe Slot Specifications

Table 4: PCIe Slot Specifications

Slot
Number

Electrical Lane
Width

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Connector
Length

Maximum Card
Length

Card Height
(Rear Panel
Opening)

NCSI
Support

GPU Card
Support

YesYesFull heightFull lengthx24 connectorGen-3 x161

Cisco VIC
Card Support

Yes

(primary slot)

Maintaining the Server

Replacing a PCIe Card

PCIe Population Guidelines and Restrictions

YesYesFull heightFull lengthx24 connectorGen-3 x162

Yes

(secondary
slot)

YesNoYesFull heightFull lengthx24 connectorGen-3 x83

YesYesYesFull heightFull lengthx24 connectorGen-3 x164

YesNoYesFull heightFull lengthx24 connectorGen-3 x85

YesYesYesFull heightFull lengthx24 connectorGen-3 x166

YesNoYesFull heightFull lengthx24 connectorGen-3 x87

YesYesYesFull heightFull lengthx24 connectorGen-3 x168

NoNoNoFull heightFull lengthx24 connectorGen-3 x89

NoYesNoFull heightFull lengthx24 connectorGen-3 x1610

NoNoNoFull heightFull lengthx24 connectorGen-3 x811

NoNoNoFull heightFull lengthx8 connectorGen-3 x812

Note the following guidelines and restrictions:

• Control of the PCIe sockets is divided between the CPUs that are present in the system. Some PCIe slots
are not available if your system does not have CPU module 2 installed:

• If the rear drive-bay module is installed, PCIe slot 12 is not available because of internal clearance.

• If the server has a rear RAID controller card, it must be installed in PCIe slot 11 or slot 10.

• If the server has a rear NVMe switch card, it must be installed in PCIe slot 10.

Replacing a PCIe Card

Before installing PCIe cards, see PCIe Slot Specifications and Restrictions, on page 89.

• If your system has four CPUs, all PCIe slots are supported.

• If your system has only two CPUs (CPU module 2 is not present), see the following table for the
PCIe slots that are supported.

PCIe Slots Controlled by CPU Module
1

(CPUs 1 and 2)

PCIe Slots Controlled by CPU Module
2

(CPUs 3 and 4)

3, 4, 6, 7, 11, 121, 2, 5, 8, 9, 10

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Replacing a PCIe Card

Step 1 Prepare the server for component installation:

a) Shut down and remove power from the server as described in Shutting Down and Removing Power From the Server,

on page 35.

b) Slide the server out the front of the rack far enough so that you can remove the top cover. You might have to detach

cables from the rear panel to provide clearance.

Maintaining the Server

Caution

If you cannot safely view and access the component, remove the server from the rack.

c) Remove the top cover from the server as described in Removing the Server Top Cover, on page 37.

Step 2 Remove any existing card or a blanking panel:

a) Open the hinged retainer bar that covers the top of the PCIe slot.

Use your fingertips to pull back on the wire locking-latches at each end of the retainer bar, and then hinge the bar
open to expose the tops of the PCIe slots.

b) Pull both ends of the card vertically to disengage the card from the socket, and then set it aside.

Step 3 Install a new PCIe card:

a) Carefully align the card edge with the socket while you align the card's rear tab with the rear panel opening.
b) Push down on both corners of the card to seat its edge connector in the socket.
c) Close the hinged retainer bar over the top of the PCIe slots.

Use your fingertips to pull back on the wire locking-latches at each end of the retainer bar, and then hinge it closed
to secure the tops of the PCIe slots. Push the wire locking-latches back to the forward, locked position.

Step 4 Replace the top cover to the server.

Step 5 Reconnect power cords to all power supplies and then allow the server to boot to standby power mode (indicated when

the front panel Power button LED lights amber).

Step 6 Fully power on the server by pressing the Power button.

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Figure 42: PCIe Slot Hinged Retainer Bars

Cisco Virtual Interface Card (VIC) Considerations

1

(slots 10 - 12)

Cisco Virtual Interface Card (VIC) Considerations

This section describes VIC card support and special considerations for this server.

If you want to use the Cisco UCS VIC card for Cisco UCS Manager integration, see also the Installation For

Cisco UCS Manager Integration, on page 161 for details about supported configurations, cabling, and other

requirements.

Table 5: VIC Support and Considerations in This Server

VIC

UCSC-PCIE-C40Q-03

How Many
Supported in
Server

Slots That
Support VICs

2Wire locking latches for left PCIe retainer bar

Wire locking latches for right PCIe retainer bar
(slots 1 - 9)

Primary Slot For
Cisco UCS Manager
Integration

Primary Slot For
Cisco Card NIC
Mode

Minimum Cisco
IMC Firmware

3.1(2)PCIe 1PCIe 1PCIe 1 - 88Cisco UCS VIC 1385

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Replacing Components Inside a CPU Module

Replacing Components Inside a CPU Module

Maintaining the Server

Caution

Caution

When handling server components, handle them only by carrier edges and use an electrostatic discharge (ESD)
wrist-strap or other grounding device to avoid damage.

This section describes how to install and replace CPUs and DIMMs inside a CPU module.

Never remove a CPU module without shutting down and removing power from the server.

See also:

• Replacing Components Inside the Main Chassis, on page 44

• Replacing Components Inside an I/O Module, on page 111

Replacing CPUs and Heatsinks

This section contains information for replacing CPUs and heatsinks inside a CPU module.

CPU Configuration Rules

The CPUs in this server install to sockets inside one or two removable CPU modules. Each CPU module has
two CPU sockets.

• The system numbers the CPUs in CPU module 1 (the lower bay) as CPU 1 and CPU 2.

• The system numbers the CPUs in CPU module 2 (the upper bay) as CPU 3 and CPU 4.

Figure 43: CPU Numbering

• The server can operate with one or two CPU modules (two or four identical CPUs) installed.

Note

The CPUs in CPU module 1 must be identical with the CPUs in CPU module 2
(no mixing).

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Tools Required For CPU Replacement

• The minimum configuration is that the server must have at least CPU module 1 installed in the lower
CPU module bay. Install CPU module 1 first, and then CPU module 2 in the upper bay.

Note

If CPU module 2 is not present in the upper bay, you must have a blank filler
module in the upper bay or the server will not boot.

• The maximum combined memory allowed in the 12 DIMM slots controlled by any one CPU is 768 GB.
To populate the 12 DIMM slots with more than 768 GB of combined memory, you must use a
high-memory CPU that has a PID that ends with an "M", for example, UCS-CPU-6134M.

• The following restrictions apply when using only a two-CPU configuration (CPU module 2 is not present):

• The maximum number of DIMMs is 24 (only CPU 1 and CPU 2 memory channels).

• Some PCIe slots are unavailable when CPU module 2 is not present:

PCIe Slots Controlled by CPU Module
1

(CPUs 1 and 2)

• Only four double-wide GPUs are supported, in PCIe slots 1, 2, 8, and 10.

• No front NVMe drives are supported.

• The optional NVMe-only drive bay module UCSC-C480-8NVME is not supported.

• If a rear RAID controller is used, it must be installed in PCIe slot 10 rather than the default slot 11.
A blank filler must be installed in slot 11.

Tools Required For CPU Replacement

You need the following tools and equipment for this procedure:

• T-30 Torx driver—Supplied with replacement CPU.

• #1 flat-head screwdriver—Supplied with replacement CPU.

• CPU assembly tool—Supplied with replacement CPU. Orderable separately as Cisco PID UCS-CPUAT=.

• Heatsink cleaning kit—Supplied with replacement CPU. Orderable separately as Cisco PID
UCSX-HSCK=.

PCIe Slots Controlled by CPU Module
2

(CPUs 3 and 4)

3, 4, 6, 7, 11, 121, 2, 5, 8, 9, 10

• Thermal interface material (TIM)—Syringe supplied with replacement CPU. Use only if you are reusing
your existing heatsink (new heatsinks have a pre-applied pad of TIM). Orderable separately as Cisco
PID UCS-CPU-TIM=.

See also Additional CPU-Related Parts to Order with RMA Replacement CPUs, on page 102.

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Replacing a CPU and Heatsink

Replacing a CPU and Heatsink

Maintaining the Server

Caution

CPUs and their sockets are fragile and must be handled with extreme care to avoid damaging pins. The CPUs
must be installed with heatsinks and thermal interface material to ensure cooling. Failure to install a CPU
correctly might result in damage to the server.

Step 1 Caution

Never remove a CPU module without shutting down and removing power from the server.

Prepare the server for component removal:

a) Shut down and remove power from the server as described in Shutting Down and Removing Power From the Server,

on page 35.

Note

You do not have to pull the server out of the rack or remove the server cover because the CPU modules
are accessible from the front of the server.

Step 2 Remove an existing CPU module from the chassis:

Note

Verify that the power LED on the front of the CPU module is off before removing the module.

a) Grasp the two ejector levers on the front of the CPU module and pinch their latches to release the levers.
b) Rotate both levers to the outside at the same time to evenly disengage the module from the midplane connectors.
c) Pull the module straight out from the chassis and then set it on an antistatic surface.

Step 3 Remove the existing CPU/heatsink assembly from the CPU module:

a) Use the T-30 Torx driver that is supplied with the replacement CPU to loosen the four captive nuts that secure the

assembly to the board standoffs.

Note

Alternate loosening the heatsink nuts evenly so that the heatsink remains level as it is raised. Loosen the
heatsink nuts in the order shown on the heatsink label: 4, 3, 2, 1.

b) Lift straight up on the CPU/heatsink assembly and set it heatsink-down on an antistatic surface.

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Figure 44: Removing the CPU/Heatsink Assembly

Replacing a CPU and Heatsink

Step 4 Separate the heatsink from the CPU assembly (the CPU assembly includes the CPU and the plastic CPU carrier):

a) Place the heatsink with CPU assembly so that it is oriented upside-down as shown in the following figure.

Note the thermal-interface material (TIM) breaker location. TIM BREAKER is stamped on the CPU carrier next
to a small slot.

CPU socket on motherboard4Heatsink1

T-30 Torx driver5Heatsink captive nuts (two on each side)2

-CPU carrier (below heatsink in this view)3

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Replacing a CPU and Heatsink

Figure 45: Separating the CPU Assembly From the Heatsink

Maintaining the Server

4CPU carrier1

CPU-carrier inner-latch nearest to the TIM
breaker slot

5CPU2

#1 flat-head screwdriver inserted into TIM
breaker slot

-TIM BREAKER slot in CPU carrier3

b) Pinch inward on the CPU-carrier clip that is nearest the TIM breaker slot and then push up to disengage the clip

from its slot in the heatsink corner.

c) Insert the blade of a #1 flat-head screwdriver into the slot marked TIM BREAKER.

Note

In the following step, do not pry on the CPU surface. Use gentle rotation to lift on the plastic surface of
the CPU carrier at the TIM breaker slot. Use caution to avoid damaging the heatsink surface.

d) Gently rotate the screwdriver to lift up on the CPU until the TIM on the heatsink separates from the CPU.

Note

Do not allow the screwdriver tip to touch or damage the green CPU substrate.

e) Pinch the CPU-carrier clip at the corner opposite the TIM breaker and push up to disengage the clip from its slot

in the heatsink corner.

f) On the remaining two corners of the CPU carrier, gently pry outward on the outer-latches and then lift the

CPU-assembly from the heatsink.

Note

Handle the CPU-assembly by the plastic carrier only. Do not touch the CPU surface. Do not separate the
CPU from the plastic carrier.

Cisco UCS C480 M5 Server Installation and Service Guide

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